Dr. Joseph Lawrence LaManna

Dr. J.L. LaManna is a "Doctors Doctor." Much of his time was given to advising, counseling, guiding younger physicians, all of whom admire him because of his wisdom, his concern, his love for medicine and his love for people. He was born in New York, July 18, 1921 and was raised in West New York, New Jersey. He graduated from Memorial High School in West New York, in 1939. Dr. LaManna received a Bachelor of Science Degree with majors in Biology and Chemistry from St. Peter's College in Jersey City in 1943. From 1943 to 1946, he served in the Army Special Training Program. In 1950, he graduated from Des Moines College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Des Moines, Iowa. He interned at Lakeside Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1951, he opened his office in Dallas, a city he has called home ever since. That same year, he married Evelyn Fuelling. Dr. LaManna began family practice in Oak Cliff the very first day he arrived in 1951. In January, 2001, he announced his retirement after fifty years of service. He has also maintained a home in Oak Cliff during those fifty years. One of his patients (since 1955) said of him, that he was "the most unique, compassionate and moral person I've ever known...he treats his patients like family. He's not your typical doctor. He's generally interested in all aspects of his patients' lives. That sentiment is also felt by the many thousands of lives he has touched including the hundreds of young physicians he has mentored. Dr. LaManna has not limited himself to his office. He served as Chief of Staff, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Chairman of the Credentials Committee and as a member of the Board of Governors at Dallas Family Hospital (now Dallas Southwest Medical Center) from 1984-1992. He continued his service on the Executive Committee until 1997 and then served on the Board of Governors again from 1997-1999. He has been a member of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association (TOMA) and the Dallas County Medical Society since 1951. He has served on the Dallas County Board of Health, the Bishop College Board and the Deaf Action Center Advisory Board. He has served as Honorary Chairman of several major fund-raising events: Notre Dame Special School "Affair of the Heart" (1994), the National Council of Jewish Women-Dallas Division "Night at the Myerson" (1997) and the American Cancer Society-Southwest Division "Relay for Life (1999).

In 1983, Dr. LaManna was instrumental in the formation of Dallas Southwest Osteopathic Physicians (DSWOP), a non-profit philanthropic organization established as a result of the sale of Stevens Park Osteopathic Hospital. He has served as chair of the organization since 1985 and has been the catalyst, the guiding influence and the force behind it. Dr. LaManna is a man of compassion, love and concern. He is a devoted husband, father and grandfather and is very dedicated to his religion. He and his wife are members at St. Cecilia Catholic Church. He is a true Humanitarian in every sense of the word.

The Oak Cliff Lions Club awarded him their prestigious Humanitarian Award in 1990. Previously he had been honored as the Oak Cliff Tribune Citizen of the Year (1987). He received the Founders Medal from Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (1991), the Golden Falcon Award from Bishop Dunne High School (1992) and the Samaritan Award from Dallas Baptist University (1993). In 1994, he was admitted to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and the following year, 1995, Charles V. Grahmann, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese, presented him the Bishop's Award for his contributions to education. In 1996, Dr. LaManna was given the Community Builders Award by the Masonic Lodge, the Pastor's Service Award from St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church and the Freedoms Foundation Award. In 1997, Dallas Baptist University honored him with an honorary doctorate. He also received the Distinguished Service Award from Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine for his dedicated support of the Continued Medical Education program that year. In 1998, he was recognized by St. Cecilia School as the Community Supporter of the year. He also was honored by the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association with their Outstanding Community Service Award in 1998. His latest honor came from the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth when they presented him with the honorary Doctor of Public Service in 2001. The university also appointed him to the Clinical Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Family Medicine with the rank of Clinical Assistant Professor. In whatever Dr. LaManna is involved, it is always for the betterment of mankind and it is always for the very best quality of service that can be given. With lives and futures at stake, he would not accept mediocrity. He is predeceased by his parents, 2 brothers, 5 sisters and son, Dr. Jack LaManna.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Evelyn LaManna; son, Joseph LaManna, III (Louise) and their son, Joseph LaManna, IV; daughter, Lisa Boucher (Pete) and their children, Sergei, Nicholas, Tatiana, D'Mitri, E'Katerina, Mikhail and Pytre; daughter in law, Cathy LaManna and children Anthony, James and Christina and 3 great grandchildren; sister in law, Mary Fuelling and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Monday, May 2, 2016 from 6-8 pm Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home. The Mass will be held Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Saint Cecilia Catholic Church 1809 W. Davis St.