Thomas Husbands

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Surrounded by those who loved him most, our beloved father and grandfather, Thomas L. Husbands, Jr., M.D., left this life on the morning of Monday, February 19, 2007 at his residence.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the St. Paul's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Chuck Treadwell officiating. A private family burial service at Oakwood Cemetery with Rev. Curtis Holland officiating will precede the memorial service. He will lie in state at the OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque, on Wednesday from 1 to 8 p.m.

As a well-known and respected physician in Waco for over forty years, "Dr. Tom" welcomed almost 6,000 babies into this world. Even though his career kept him busy, he and his beloved wife, Becky, cultivated many friendships.

Traveling, playing cards, having supper clubs with dear friends was an important part of their lives. Dr. Tom also loved sports of all kinds, playing golf for fifty years and remaining an avid "arm chair" sportsman until the end of his days.

Proud as he was of his distinguished career, fond as he was of his many friends, devoted as he was to sports, it was his family that brought him his greatest joy.

Tom was born to Thomas L. Husbands and Jesse Hanley Husbands on December 21, 1913 in Greenville, Texas. He graduated from Baylor Medical School in Dallas in 1940. His internship, and two year residency in obstetrics and gynecology, was at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. In 1940 he met the love of his life, Elna Ruth Becker (Becky). They were married in Shawnee, Oklahoma on January, 4, 1941, and, after living briefly in San Angelo, moved to Waco, where Tom established his practice in April of 1945.

When Dr. Tom died, he was the oldest living member of the McLennan County Medical Society, of which he was president in 1971. He had been a member of the Texas Society of Ob-Gyn since 1953 and was a founding member of the American Society of Ob-Gyn.

At one point in the 1970's he served as president of Hillcrest Medical staff. Dr. Tom retired in 1987 after 45 years of practice.
Tom was also active in the Waco community. He served on the Waco ISD board from 1958 to 1970 and presided as president for one year.

He was a founding member of Ridgewood Country Club. A member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church since 1945, he served on the vestry in the 1950's.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 64 years, his daughter, Ellen Husbands Ledesma, his brother, Fred Husbands of Abilene. He is survived by his son Charles B. Husbands of Waco, grandsons Charles Blakely of Austin and Harlon Webb of Dallas, granddaughter Heather Rose of Waco and Effie Anna of San Marcos, Texas; Son Thomas L. III and wife Carol of San Marcos, grandsons Joshua E. of Porland, Oregon, L. Cole of Austin, and granddaughter, Lilly Marie of Austin; granddaughter Maria Elena (Ellen) Crow and husband, Doug, great-grandchildren Brandyn, Brittany and Luke Crow of Waco.

Pallbearers are grandsons Josh, Cole and Harley Husbands, Jeff Ward, John "Trip" Fisher, and "Spike" Patillo, all of whom he delivered. Honorary pallbearers are Blake Husbands, Joe L. Ward, Dr. Sam Lane, Pat Patillo, Joe Newton and Bryan Lewter.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center: Maternity Ward, 3000 Herring Ave.; or St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 515 Columbus Ave.