Obituary of John Thomas Bigger

Dr. John Thomas Bigger, Jr. Dr. John Thomas Bigger Jr. (Thom) died on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina on October 8, 2017 with his beloved wife, Susan, and loving daughter, Lynn , by his side. Dr. J. Thomas Bigger was born in Savannah, Georgia in 1935. He was the only son of John Thomas Bigger and Wilma Rushing Bigger. He spent most of his adolescent years in Alabama and attended Auburn University and transferred to Emory University where he completed his Bachelor of Science degree. After graduation he was accepted into the Medical College of Georgia where he completed his Medical degree, MD, and residency. Dr. J. Thomas Bigger Jr. moved to New York, New York and started his career in 1967 until his retirement in 2015 at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons / New York Presbyterian Hospital where he was actively involved in teaching, research, and clinical practices. He served as Chief of Cardiology and Director of the Arrhythmia Service. His groundbreaking work in the study of cardiac arrhythmias contributed tremendously to the field. He was the principal investigator in the Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (CAST) and the CABG Patch Trial which assessed the utility of AICD’s in patients with depressed ventricular function undergoing coronary bypass surgery. More recently, Dr. Bigger was the principal investigator of the ACCORD Trial which looked to determine whether ” tight” control of the blood glucose would improve macrovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes. During his distinguished career, Dr. Bigger published more than 500 research papers, book chapters, and reviews. He received numerous awards during his tenure to include Distinguished Scientist Awards from the Heart Rhythm Society and the American College of Cardiology. He will be remembered over his 50 year career as an outstanding scientist, compassionate clinician, trusted mentor and teacher for numerous resident doctors and junior faculty members. Dr. J. Thomas Bigger Jr. leaves not only his colleagues at Columbia University Medical Center who celebrate his life and mourn his passing but his beloved family. He was predeceased by his parents and son Nicholas Alexander Bigger. He leaves to cherish in his love and memories his wife of 35 years, Susan T. Bigger, who was his partner both in work and life. Their devotion to and acceptance of each other created a wonderful marriage apparent to all who knew them. And she knew how to bring out the best in Thom. His cherished daughter, Deborah Lynn Bigger Warr, who Thom admired greatly for her accomplishments in her tenure as an educator and administrator, Lynn’s son / Thom’s grandson Robert Randolph Warr III, step daughter Angela Harrison and step grandson Caden Peterson ( Susan’s daughter and grandson) whom Thom treated just like his own. The family will receive friends and family from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on October 21, 2017 at The Island Funeral Home , 4 Cardinal Rd. Hilton Head , South Carolina 29926. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that a donation be made to the charity- Memory Matters, P.O. Box 22330, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29925-2330. Islandfuneralhome.com. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Dr. John Thomas (Thom) Bigger, please visit our Flower & Gift Shop.