John Alton Posey Jr., MD, PhD

John Alton Posey Jr., MD, PhD

1942-2021

John Alton Posey Jr., MD, PhD, of Houston, Texas, passed away on Sunday, the 23rd of May, 2021. He was 79 years old.

Born in 1942 to parents John Alton Posey Sr. and Maud Enna (Paxton) Posey of Freeport, TX, John will be remembered for his tremendous kindness and caring he showed toward his family, friends, colleagues, and patients.

A graduate of Brazosport Senior High School in 1960, John began baccalaureate studies at Lamar State College of Technology in Beaumont, Texas before transferring to the University of Texas, Austin in 1962 where he received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in January, 1965. Motivated by his father's illness and passing, he crafted his own training pathway in research and medicine. He completed his Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1968 from the University of Texas, Austin while beginning doctoral studies at then Baylor University College of Medicine with advisor Dr. Leslie A Geddes. He received his doctorate in physiology with a minor in biophysics in 1972 from Baylor College of Medicine with studies focused on arterial elasticity and mechanical approaches to resolving arterial conditions. He went on to finish his professional studies graduating with an M.D. from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas in 1975. After completing his Internship in Internal Medicine at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston and his residency in Internal Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in 1978, John was a practicing physician in a private practice for more than 42 years.

He served the greater Houston medical community as co-founder and member of the Board of Directors for the St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital IPA and PHO organizations from 1993 to 1996 and later as a co-founder and member of the Board of Directors for the Methodist Medical Group PLLC from 1996 to 2000. In 1999, he became the President of the newly established Associates in Medicine, where he practiced Internal Medicine until his retirement in December, 2020.

Throughout his life, John maintained several passions and hobbies which he shared with his family and friends. Weekends and evenings in the family house were filled with sports, sailing, swimming, and the occasional science experiment. As a licensed private pilot, he enjoyed taking relatives and close friends on short excursions whenever possible. Having grown up in Freeport, Texas, his love of the beach and the water was nurtured through frequent family trips to the beach with Paxton family members while growing up, and later with his own family through regular weekend sailing trips on his much-enjoyed Catboat, 'Kiddie Kat'.

John was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife and soulmate of 48 years, Ruth Ann (Shafran) Posey, who proposed to him over the weekend before Thanksgiving of 1972. He is also survived by his children and their spouses: Dr. Jennifer Posey and Dr. Robert Tillman; Kristen (Posey) Mead and Russell Mead; and John A. Posey III and Tracy (Hermanson) Posey. He was a beloved grandfather to three grandchildren: Austin Posey, Jackson Posey, and Erin Posey Mead. He was also a beloved companion throughout his life to his family dogs, King and Duke, and Boots Rascal Posey.

A celebration of his life will be conducted at one o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 29th of May at the Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 4525 Bissonnet Street in Houston. A live video of the service will be available through Facebook Live for family and friends who are unable to join in person. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family and share remembrances over light fare and refreshments during a reception at the funeral home.

The family requests with gratitude that remembrances in his name be directed to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (mdanderson.org/gifts and select "Honor a Loved One") or to the Houston Food Bank (https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/InMemory/JohnPosey).

Please visit Dr. Posey's online memorial tribute at www.earthmanbellaire.com where words of condolence and happy memories may be shared electronically with his family.