Gaynor Janes M.D.

O. Gaynor Janes, M.D. was a well-loved ObGyn physician who was responsible for giving life to two generations of Houstonians during his 39-year private practice at Memorial Southwest Hospital. Dr. Janes, age 74, died unexpectedly on the 3rd of August 2011.

Gaynor was born on the 29th of June 1937, in Cooper, Texas, and attended East Texas State College before heading to Baylor College of Medicine. He was proud to continue his family legacy as a fifth-generation physician and chose ObGyn because he considered it a “happy specialty.” He made his mark by being the first physician to offer natural childbirth in Houston and took pride in mentoring budding physicians. As a skilled surgeon, he was known for having the “fastest hands in the O.R.”

He was active in many professional organizations throughout his career and a member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church. Known for his gift of gab, he seldom was able to tell “the short version.” During his infrequent off time, he played tennis, was an avid Oilers fan, and loved to travel, including zip-lining in Alaska. Upon retirement, his new passion was writing personal stories with his RPO Writing Group. In later years, his sports enthusiasm shifted to his grandchildrens’ sporting events.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, D’; his four daughters, Jennifer Kalinsky, Meredith Vela, Emily Venincasa, and Abigail Chung; their husbands; his ten treasured grandkids who knew him as “Donut Da”; three sisters, a brother, and numerous nieces and nephews; and his sidekick, Hazel.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until eight o’clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 9th of August, in the Library and Grand Foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service is to be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 10th of August, at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Street in Houston, where Dr. Jim Jackson, Senior Pastor, and Rev. Wick Stuckey, Pastor of Mens Ministry, are to officiate. Immediately following the service, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in honor of Gaynor may be directed to The Chapelwood Foundation, 11140 Greenbay St., Houston, TX, 77024.