The John Gaston Society

John Gaston was a successful businessman and philanthropist in Memphis during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Born in France in 1828, Gaston migrated to the United States sometime in the 1850s and landed a job as a waiter at the famed Delmonico’s restaurant in New York City. He quickly worked his way up to chef before moving to Memphis in the 1860s. After the Civil War was over, Gaston opened a successful restaurant in Memphis and began accumulating his vast wealth.

Shortly before he passed away in 1912, Mr. Gaston told several of his friends that he wanted his stately mansion converted into a public hospital following the death of his wife, Theresa Gaston Mann.

After Mrs. Gaston Mann died in 1929, the Gaston mansion was deemed too small to accommodate the needs of a public hospital at that time. So, his home was demolished and turned into a park and a community center. The bulk of his estate was then supplemented by the Public Works Administration to construct a brand new hospital, which was named in his honor. The John Gaston Hospital remained in operation until the 1990s, when it was razed to make way for expansions at Regional Medical Center.

With the generous gift of his estate, Mr. Gaston created a legacy that lives on today.

The newly formed John Gaston Society was created to recognize donors who have made a provision in their estate plan to Regional One Health Foundation. Those who plan their gifts now have the opportunity to become a charter member, helping to ensure the highest quality of healthcare in the Mid-South region for years to come. If you should be included in the John Gaston Society, please use the button below to notify us of your planned gift.

Planned gifts to Regional One Health Foundation can be funded with cash, equity, or appreciated property. A number of state or federal income, capital gains, or estate tax benefits can be realized with a planned gift. Assets such as cash, stocks, bonds, retirement plans, insurance, and trust funds can be given to achieve the donor’s charitable goals while maximizing any tax benefits.

In addition to the benefits of making a planned gift to Regional One Health Foundation, donors have the satisfaction of knowing their gift will make a positive impact on the lives of thousands of patients and create a healthier, more vibrant community.

If you are considering making a planned gift, please contact us if we can be of assistance or visit the Tools & Resources page. You might also be interested in reading about how other supporters made planned gifts that provided benefits for us and for them.