Richard Hooper Weatherall, M.D. passed away on the 14th of December 2009 at the age of 80. Dick was born in Port Arthur, Texas on June 13, 1929 to Cyrus (Ted) and Flora Weatherall. He graduated as salutatorian of the 1947 class of Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur.  Dick attended Texas A&M, graduating with honors in 1951.  He received his Doctorate from Baylor College of Medicine in 1955.  He joined the United States Air Force and was assigned to Walter Reed Hospital, in Washington, D.C. where he completed his internship and residency in ophthalmology.  He was sent to Wiesbaden, Germany to continue his service for the next four years.  The last of these, Dick served as Chief Ophthalmologist for the European Theater, with duties including visiting and teaching in all other USA Hospitals in Europe.  He and family returned to Texas in 1963.

Dick met his future wife, Carol Louise Moak (also of Port Arthur) in 1951.  They married two years later on August 15, 1953 remaining committed to each other for fifty-six years.  Their two children, Richard H. Weatherall, Jr. and Paul T. Weatherall live in Conroe and Dallas, respectively.  Dick is also survived by Carol; his brother-in-law, W. Paul Moak; daughter-in-law, Cynthia S. Weatherall; and two grandchildren, Elaine Weatherall and Daniel Weatherall.  His brother, John Theodore (Ted) Weatherall, DDS has passed before him.  His sister-in-law, Deanie Weatherall remains in Texas City.

Dick and Carol raised their family and have enjoyed living in Beaumont for the last forty-six years.  Dick started his solo ophthalmology practice at the Lovoi Pharmacy Building, later moving to the Doctor’s Building at Baptist Hospital, maintaining his practice here until 1987.  He then joined East Texas Eye Associates for the next ten years until retirement.  Dick was always dedicated to his patients, maintaining his schedule such that they rarely ever had to wait; their time and especially their care were very important to him. He prided himself in performing a thorough examination in the best way possible, performing all of the procedures himself.  He was an active member of the Jefferson County Medical Society, American Medical Association and American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Dick was more a man of doing, rather than talking. Travel with family was high on his list of enjoyments.  The Weatherall family “saw Europe” and they learned to ski and ice skate in Germany and Austria. After returning stateside, family vacations became skiing in Colorado and scuba diving Mexico.  Dick taught his boys, all of their friends how to water ski, at Cow Bayou, our home-away-from home.  His later passions were fishing and golf.  He was a happy man when fishing, any and everywhere. He played golf with a group of friends at the Beaumont Country Club and later at Brentwood Country Club.  He was a member of the Men’s Golf Association and “Chokers Club”.  He was a longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church and the Hamaco Sunday School Class.  He especially enjoyed working in the sports section of the Annual Trinity Garage Sale.

His funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 17, 2009, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison Avenue, Beaumont with burial to follow at Magnolia Cemetery under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.  A gathering of his family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 16, 2009, at Broussard’s.

Memorial donations may be sent to Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77702;  Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704; or to the charity of your choice.