Funeral service for “Doc” Dr. I.L. Balkcom, IV, age, 73, of Tyler, Texas will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 18, 2025 at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home in Sulphur Springs, Texas with Rev. C.J. Duffey officiating. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home. Dr. Balkcom passed away at his home in Tyler on Thursday, August 14, 2025
Ichabod Lafayette Balkcom, IV was born on February 9, 1952 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Ichabod Lafayette Balkcom, III and Shirley (Darr) Balkcom. He married Deborah Frances Hungerford in Morris Station, Georgia on December 31, 1975. Doc grew up in Miami, Florida and earned his Bachelors of Science degree at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia in 1975. He taught high school Science and coached football in Lee County, Georgia and went on to complete his Medical School in Guadalajara, Mexico. He completed his residency in family practice in Columbus, Georgia and then started a practice in Cuthbert, Georgia. Doc moved to Sulphur Springs in 1993 and practiced medicine here until the Spring of 2022.
Doc was President of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians, Doctor of the Day for the Texas Legislation and the Texas Senate, a team doctor for the Sulphur Springs Wildcats and the Hopkins County Jail for the majority of his career, founding member of the Northeast Texas Choral Society, a member of the Texas Sheriff’s Association & the Texas Game Warden Association, as well as an avid Bridge player – Life Master Bridge Player.
Doc is survived by his wife, Deborah Balkcom of Tyler; sons, Daniel Balkcom (Julia) of Parkland, Florida and “Quint” I.L. Balkcom, V (Stephanie) of Bullard, Texas; grandchildren, Reese Balkcom, Ryan Balkcom, Blake Balkcom, Talon Balkcom, Adyson Pipkin, and Samantha Pipkin; and sister, Carol Abarr (Tom).
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Hearts of Life Animal Rescue at 471 CR 4510, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.
Arrangements are under the direction of Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home.
The online register can be signed at www.murrayorwosky.com
