John Nessly Livesay

John was born in San Antonio, TX, on October 31, 1953, to Betty “Beany” and Harvey “Robin” Livesay. John attended Cambridge Elementary School and Alamo Heights High School. An indelible memory of his days at Cambridge Elementary was his having witnessed, with his fourth grade class, the motorcade carrying President John F. Kennedy on November 21, 1963. In his home, John proudly displayed a photo of his class posing just behind the President’s convertible only one day prior to the historic assassination.

John distinguished himself in early life by becoming an Eagle Scout. He developed a lifelong interest in vintage automobiles after maintaining his neighbor’s MG T-series sports car. In addition, he built a backyard greenhouse, an endeavor which led to his passion for gardening and growing orchids.

John attended Rice University and the University of Texas, eventually receiving his MD degree. He went on to become a Board-Certified Anesthesiologist, practicing primarily at the Texas Womans Hospital in Houston. There he made many friends whom he entertained with his unique and often acerbic sense of humor.

John spent his vacation days traveling to Paris, Monaco, and Bavaria. He also maintained a cabin in Big Bear, California, and, later, in the Carmel Valley. He improved this latter property by planting fir and spruce trees, a giant Sequoia, and thousands of daffodils, thus assuring beauty for all of time. In California, John was a frequent attendee at the Pebble Beach Auto Show, where he once displayed a Rolls Royce.

Whereas the practice of Anesthesiology consumed nearly 40 years of John’s life, he never abandoned his hobbies of bodybuilding, car collecting, and cultivating the outdoor beauty of his Houston home. Those fortunate persons whom he regarded as friends were continually gifted with his generous spirit, his abiding humor, and his open sharing of his many life passions.

John is survived by his brother, George Livesay and wife Saifon of San Antonio.

A memorial service will be held for John on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 - 11:00 AM at The First Presbyterian Church, 404 N. Alamo, San Antonio. Honorary pallbearers will be Carey Sakert, Dr. Elaine Peltier, Dr. Don Quast, Don Whitehead, Betty Bowers, and Dr. Susan Carlyle.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio or the Humane Society of San Antonio.