Dr. Aristides Cardona, 89, Celina, Tennessee, passed away Thursday, May 5th, 2016. He spent some years practicing medicine in Albany before moving to Hyden, Kentucky, then returning to Celina and retirement. He was predeceased by his parents Graciana and Alcides of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, sister Luz Caban, and brothers Hector (Toin) and Rene.

Survivors include his wife, Tamara Vaughn Cardona; and children Kristin Cardona, M.D. of Lenoir City, Tennessee; Vaughn Cardona DMA of Dayton, Tennessee; Bonnie (Eddy) Stockton of Monticello, Kentucky; Linda (Joe) Caruthers of Lenoir City, Tennessee; Renee (Thomas M.D.) Clayton of Crossville, Tennessee; and Maria (Brett) Coulter of Maryville, Tennessee. He is also survived by grandchildren, David, Amanda, Cassondra, Lindsey, Joseph, Bradley, Brian and Madison, and seven most precious great-grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters Lydia Cuevas and Almena De Jesus, both of Weston, Florida, and sister Irma Cardona, Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

Coming from deep poverty in the mountains of Puerto Rico, he was awarded scholarships to attend college and attended medical school in Syracuse, New York before moving to Crossville, Tennessee. Dr. Cardona was the first Board Certified surgeon to be recruited to Cumberland County in 1957 and was involved in the construction of the old Cumberland Clinic. He moved to Celina, Tennessee in 1966 where he opened the Clay County Hospital, which is still in operation today.

Memorial services will be held at Vaughn Cemetery in Alpine, Tennessee later in May.