After a decade-long battle with dementia, John Charles Faris passed away on May 26, 2026, at KBR Hospice Home in Winston-Salem. He was born on March 24, 1941, in Centralia, Illinois, to James Harold F

After a decade-long battle with dementia, John Charles Faris passed away on May 26, 2026, at KBR Hospice Home in Winston-Salem. He was born on March 24, 1941, in Centralia, Illinois, to James Harold Faris and Margaret Rohde Faris. He graduated in 1959 as a member of the final class of Central High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. He then attended Duke University, majoring in pre-med, and graduated in 1963 before entering Bowman Gray School of Medicine, now the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. After earning his medical degree in 1967, he completed a one-year general surgery residency at Denver Presbyterian Hospital in Denver, Colorado. He then returned to Winston-Salem to begin a radiology residency. Like many physicians of that era, his training was interrupted during the buildup to the Vietnam War because of his Air Force commitment through the Berry Plan. With one year of radiology training completed, he attained the rank of Major and served as a medical officer and radiologist at Castle Air Force Base in Merced, California, and at Royal Thai Air Force Base in Udorn, Thailand. The Royal Thai Air Force Base served as a front-line base for the United States Air Force and as the Asian headquarters for Air America.After completing his Air Force service, John returned to Winston-Salem, driving his brand-new 1970 cherry-red T-top Chevrolet Corvette. While finishing his residency in 1973, he met his future wife, Ann, during a spirited disagreement over a patient’s care. They crossed paths again a month later when John suffered a ruptured appendix. Family and friends will have no doubt about who won the original disagreement, even though John was the one who let his appendix rupture.After completing his residency, John began a private practice in diagnostic radiology that spanned more than 40 years. He was instrumental in bringing state-of-the-art mammography to Forsyth County and the surrounding area, leading to earlier detection of breast cancer and saving countless lives. He also established the community’s first mobile mammography diagnostic service and introduced its first bone densitometry scanner to help diagnose osteoporosis and monitor treatment. His legacy of compassionate care for patients undergoing breast cancer diagnosis continues to guide his former colleagues at the Breast Clinic and Forsyth Radiological Associates.John loved watching Duke basketball, snow skiing, and especially golfing with his “Gator Cup” buddies, with whom he was also known for his salad-making skills. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ann; his son, Justin Charles Faris (Kimberly); his daughter, Jessica Elizabeth Jones (Rob); his grandchildren, Taylor, Isabella, Connor, and Caleb; his great-grandchild, Blake; and his sister, Judy Ogburn of Georgetown, South Carolina. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Trellis Palliative Care, KBR Hospice Home, and to Tia Mayfield and Iris Ortega, who lovingly cared for John in his final months.A remembrance service for family and friends will be held in the Chapel at Centenary United Methodist Church at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29. Following the service, the family will move to the columbarium for a brief inurnment service. The family will greet guests after the committal in the Dining Room, located just outside the Chapel entrance. Please use the 4&1/2 Street entrance for easy access to the Chapel and Dining Room.In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Senior Services, Inc. in support of the Faris Family Fund for Caregiver Education and Support. Gifts may be mailed to 2895 Shorefair Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27105, or made online at seniorservicesinc.org, with the fund name noted in the comments field.