Justin D. Towner III, DDS

A lifelong Memphian, Justin attended Memphis City Schools, Washington and Lee University, and then graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in 1954. Shortly thereafter, he served in the Air Force for two years before returning to Memphis to practice periodontics for 44 years and teaching in the Department of Periodontics at the UT College of Dentistry for 15 years.

As author and co-author, he published several articles on clinical periodontics and occlusion as well as contributing to continuing education courses and programs. His professional memberships include Memphis Dental Society, where he served as president and received the Humanitarian Award. He also served in the Tennessee Dental Association, American Dental Association, Southern Academy of Periodontology, and American Academy of Periodontology.

Dr. Towner was one of four dentists who initiated the formation of the UT Dental Alumni Association in the early 1960s and served as president from 1965 to 1966. He was instrumental in establishing an annual alumni meeting, which would evolve into the Mid-South Dental Congress and today’s William F. Slagle Dental Meeting.

A member of Second Presbyterian Church, he has served as elder and clerk of the Session. He enjoyed teaching Sunday School and served on numerous committees—most notably the World Missions committee—and made several trips to Haiti and Belize as a dental missionary. He is most proud of his wife of 61 years, Ginny, his three children and their spouses, and his seven grandchildren.

For Dr. Towner, the most rewarding aspect of his career is the opportunity to teach students and young dentists the importance of including the treatment of periodontal disease into their practices.