RICHMOND – COVID-19 claimed the life of a doctor at Ray County Memorial Hospital, Dr. John E. Scowley, 72, Richmond, Dec. 30.

“He was around a lot of patients,” Presiding Commissioner Bob King said.

“There are a lot of folks who lost a good friend and there’s a lot more folks who lost a doctor,” Ray County Eastern District Commissioner Allen Dale said.

“Everybody’s grieving here,” Hospital Administrator Earl Sheehy said. “The community’s grieving, too. It’s a significant loss. He practiced here for nearly 40 years. He’ll definitely be missed.”

Scowley’s death is a loss to Sheehy personally.

“We used to joke that I must give plenty of notice when I plan to retire so he could retire, but apparently he decided to beat me to it,” Sheehy said Monday. “We’re going to feel the loss. … I consider him a good friend of mine. … I’m going to miss him.”

The hospital board’s treasurer and a Meritas Health employee, Scowley did what other health providers have done during the pandemic – put himself at risk…