Dr. Richard L. Shorkey, a longtime orthopedic surgeon, died on Sunday, June 20, at the age of 88.
Born February 14, 1916 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Dr. Shorkey devoted his life to family, medicine, and art. His wife, Lois Milheim Shorkey, preceded him in death. He is survived by his four daughters, Jean Shorkey and Mary Shorkey Hager, both of Beaumont, Carol Shorkey Parker and her husband, Jim of Fort Worth and Alice Shorkey Butrum and her husband, Herb of Houston; brother, Edward Shorkey of Naples, Florida; grandchildren, Kimberly A. Truman and husband, Bill of Houston, R. J. Adams of Washington, D. C., Stephen Hager of Houston, Kelley Parker of Dallas, Jacqueline Parker of Fort Worth, and Grant Butrum and Anne Butrum, both of Houston; and great-grandchildren, Katherine Truman and Madeline Truman, both of Houston.
Dr. Shorkey's collegiate education began at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, in 1938. He was a scholar and an athlete, recently being inducted into the Hall of Fame for swimming. A 1942 graduate of medicine of Ohio State University, Dr. Shorkey worked as an orthopedic surgeon and was formally the managing partner for Drs. Shorkey, Bessell, Reid, Domingues, and Hayes. He served as medical director of St. Elizabeth Hospital and was Chief of Surgery there as well as Baptist Hospital and Beaumont Medical/Surgical Hospital.
In addition, Dr. Shorkey was past president of Hotel Dieu, Baptist Hospital Medical Staff, and the Beaumont Academy of Medicine. For many years, he served as the medical director of the Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation Center, currently named the Shorkey Education and Rehabilitation Center of Southeast Texas in honor of Dr. Shorkey’s devoted service to the young physically challenged population of children. In 1961, Dr. Shorkey received a citation of meritorious service for working with the physically handicapped, and this was followed in 1978 with the Will L. Smith Special Education Award for Outstanding Service to Exceptional Children. He was the first recipient of the Dr. Richard L. Shorkey Award for Exceptional Service to Children with Special Needs, a tradition carried forward each year in his name.
His professional memberships included the Jefferson County Medical Society, Texas State Medical Association, Southern Medical Association, Western Orthopedic Association, and Beaumont Academy of Medicine. He was appointed Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at St. Elizabeth, Baptist, and Beaumont Medical Surgical Hospitals.
Dr. Shorkey spent 1943-1947 in the military serving overseas duty. He was a Naval Medical Officer. Most of his time was spent in the Southwest Pacific area.
He was also a gifted artist. Following his presidency of the Beaumont Art Museum and Beaumont Art League, he continued to be a patron. Supporting Lamar University with a nursing scholarship and endowment of a symphony chair, Dr. Shorkey revealed his love for our community. He was also a longtime member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and served on the vestry and memorial committee.
Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. A gathering of family and friends will be from 2:00 p.m. until service time Wednesday afternoon, June 23, in the Cloister of St. Mark’s.
Serving as pallbearers will be Judge James McNicholas, Alfred Bessell, M. D., Stanton Wolfrom, Marshall Hayes, M. D., George Thomas, M. D. and Mark McClellan
Memorial contributions may be made to Richard L. Shorkey Education and Rehabilitation Center of Southeast Texas, 855 S. Eighth Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, Art Museum of Southeast Texas, 500 Main, Beaumont, Texas 77701 or to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 680 Calder, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
