Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

April 1, 2026

CHARLOTTE – John Amory Colwell, M.D., Ph.D., 97, peacefully transitioned on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Briar Creek Assisted Living in Charlotte, NC, after a gradual decline in health.  The words of Albert Einstein are most fitting to represent John’s life: “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.”

Always described as a “True Gentleman”, John was known for his quiet, unquestioned integrity, setting high standards for his family, his interns, his staff, and his students as he dedicated his entire medical life to the cause of diabetes research, patient care and education.

Though he was born in Boston, Massachusetts on November 4, 1928, while his father was studying at Harvard Medical School, “Jack”, as he was called in his youth, was a true son of Evanston, Illinois.  He attended Evanston Township High School, where he was an outstanding athlete and student.  Here he was awarded the prestigious Noyes Cup for athletic and academic excellence and received a scholarship to attend Princeton University.  His goal after graduation was to join his father and brother at Northwestern University, nevertheless, John managed to have some fun at Princeton, (teasingly known as “Thundercloud”) becoming a master at darts, playing on both the basketball and baseball teams, being elected as President of the Cloister Inn “eating club” and becoming the University billiards champion.

After graduating from Princeton in 1950 with a B.A. in Biology, he spent four years at Northwestern Medical School in Evanston, Ill.  At this time, he met and married his dearest friend, Jane Kuebler of Jasper, Indiana.  He loved to tell the story of how, when he first laid eyes on Jane, while standing on a golf tee box ready to hit a drive, he completely whiffed his shot…one of the few mistakes John ever made in a successful and driven life.  They had originally met as camp counselors and soon after were married on June 19, 1954.

The newlyweds next moved to Cleveland where John served his internship at University Hospitals, Case Western, followed by a 2-year residency after his return to Northwestern.  At this point the Air Force grabbed John via the “Doctor’s Draft” and John and Jane with two children in tow and another on the way, spent two years enjoying the warm weather in Tucson, Arizona.

The family returned to Chicago in 1959 where John finished his residency and took three years of subspecialty training in endocrinology and diabetes at Northwestern.  As a junior faculty member there, he was also working toward a PH.D. in physiology while doing clinical work at Northwestern Medical Center. By now, Jane and John had a family of seven and the children will always remember their mother saying, “SHHH, you have to be quiet…your father is studying.”  Somehow, John managed to finish his thesis for his PH.D. in 1968.

By 1971, John, a.k.a. “Dad”, was ready for a change and he accepted an offer to move to Charleston, SC where he would become the first Director of the Endocrinology and Diabetes Division at the Medical University of South Carolina, as well as head of research at the affiliated VA Medical Center.  This move from the cold, harsh winters of Chicago, to the salty sea air of the Low Country was full of fun times and tales of cultural differences.  It also provided “Dad” with a year-round opportunity to drive his beloved convertible to and from his new office in Charleston.  His family was grateful that the commute was less than 2 miles, as he was not known for his car driving prowess!

In the final years of his renowned clinical research career, Dr. Colwell gradually shifted away from lab research and into the field of clinical trials. Beginning in 1994 he served as a Professor of Medicine and as the Medical Director of the Diabetes Center (MUSC) as well as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Diabetes Initiative of South Carolina. Here he played a critical role in the development of the landmark Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), an immense and complex undertaking whose findings are widely recognized as the most significant advance in diabetes management since the discovery of insulin in 1923. 

After his tenure as President of the American Diabetes Association (1987-88), where he and his father were the first father/son to ever serve as such, he was subsequently recognized with many awards, including, among others:

* Banting Award for Distinguished service, ADA (1988)

* Outstanding Physician Educator Award in the Field of Diabetes, ADA (1992)

* Distinguished Faculty Service Award, MUSC (1997)

* Mastership in the American College of Physicians (1998)

* John A. Colwell Award for Excellence in Diabetes Research, established by the SC Affiliate of the ADA, first recipient (1983)

* The Order of the Palmetto, the highest honor that can be bestowed on a SC citizen by the Governor (2008)  

Always humbled by recognition of any kind and despite a career full of accolades, John remained an incredibly modest man, often crediting his team for the achievements that made him one of the most decorated individuals in his field. 

John shared 53 years of marriage to his first love, Jane, and over time their legacy grew to four children, eight grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Their home was a welcoming, fun, and active place full of togetherness, humor, and joy. They traveled together, visiting much of the United States and the world, and spent many years enjoying their beloved Cashiers, NC, an idyllic place of respite after raising a large, loving family.  Jane died in 2007 and John married again in 2010, to Georgia Dunbar Van Cleve of St. Louis.  They were happily married for 13 years until Georgia passed away in 2022.

“Papa’s” favorite food was a hot dog (mustard only, Chicago style) or a simple PB and J on white bread, along with chocolate ice cream.  His last meal was, not surprisingly, a small tub of Haagen-Dazs double chocolate ice cream – he was a man of very discerning taste.  He was always an early riser and was met, on more than one occasion, by a teenaged child coming home from a night out, while he was on his way to work.  He was a lifetime Chicago Cubs fan and his most prized possession, which he carried in his wallet until the day he died, was his 1938 issue “DIE HARD CUB FAN CLUB” card.  In fact, the only time he ever skipped school was to attend a 1945 World Series game at Wrigley Field.

Dr. Colwell was a member of St. Michaels Church in Charleston, and he enjoyed memberships at Skokie Country Club, in Glencoe, IL, Yeamans Hall Club and Carolina Yacht Club, in Charleston, and the Colony Club in Cashiers, NC.

Our dear “Papa” was a gentleman, a scholar, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a friend and a mentor to his students and colleagues, and a champion for those persons affected by the devastating disease, diabetes.  He was a very special man, and he will be sorely missed.

John is survived by his son, John Clayton Colwell (Elizabeth) of San Diego and their daughter,  Emilie Colwell Dedeic (Nick); daughter, Ann Colwell Fuller (Bill) of Sullivan’s Island, SC and their children, Forrest Avery Fuller (Sidney) of Summerville and Parke Clayton Fuller of Monck’s Corner; daughter, Karen Colwell Reid (Shannon) of Charlotte, NC and their children, William Shannon Reid, Jr. (Kristi) and John Bennett Reid (Katie), all of Charlotte; son, James Lewis Colwell, Sr. (Heidi) of Columbia, SC, and their children, Sarah McKinney Colwell (Praatika) of New York City, Katherine Hill Colwell of Denver, CO, and James Lewis Colwell, Jr. (Brittany), of Charlotte; and two great-granddaughters, Parker Jane Reid and Alice Kenyon Reid; his sister, Maryann Colwell Nitchie (Skip) of Vancouver, WA; along with Georgia’s children, Peter, Sally, Robert and Emory and their families; and many nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, Dr. Colwell was preceded in death by his first wife, Jane K. Colwell; his second wife, Georgia D. Van Cleve; his sister, Bette Colwell Rathburn; his brother, Dr. Arthur R. Colwell, Jr.; and an infant son, Thomas Martin Colwell.

The family would like to thank all those who cared for Dr. Colwell at Briar Creek Assisted Living Center in Charlotte and especially his loyal buddy, Tim Bolton, who beautifully handled our “Papa’s” every need.  

A private family service to celebrate John’s life will be held in the fall in Cashiers, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Diabetes Initiative of South Carolina, Fund #8531 and sent to: MUSC Foundation, 18 Bee Street, MSC450, Charleston, SC 29425.  Please note this gift in memory of John Colwell.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606.  Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.