John Marshall Dr. Wilkinson

Dr. John Marshall Wilkinson, a cardiologist, died Wednesday, June 27, 2012 in San Antonio. His family was privileged to spend his last few days by his side, treasuring his love, intelligence, and wit before saying their last good-byes. He was 89.

Dr. Wilkinson was born September 21, 1922, in San Antonio, to Robert Clyde and Hattie Maud Wilkinson. He had two older siblings, Robert and Julia. He attended Thomas Edison High School, where he excelled on the debate team and played the trumpet in the school band. At the age of eighteen, he graduated from the University of Texas, Austin, where he was a proud member of the Texas Longhorn Marching Band. He graduated from the University of Texas Medical School in Galveston at the top of his class. He was practicing medicine by the age of twenty-one.

During World War II, Dr. Wilkinson served his country as a Captain in the U.S. Army, providing medical care to soldiers returning from the war.

On September 27, 1947, Dr. Wilkinson married the love of his life, Regina Richter. Throughout their 65-year marriage, he considered her the most beautiful woman in the world. They created an amazing life for themselves and their four children. They travelled the world, visiting countries on every continent - from the Island of Bali to the jungles of Africa - with a zest and energy beyond their years.

Dr. Wilkinson was one of the first cardiologists in San Antonio. He began his medical practice in the late 1940s, making house calls to his patients. He practiced medicine for more than forty-five years. In 1984, he became president of the Executive Board of the Baptist Memorial Hospital System. He served as the Chief of Medical Staff for the Northeast Baptist and Southeast Baptist Medical Centers for several years. He also was an assistant clinical professor of Internal Medicine and Cardiology for the University of Texas Medical School in San Antonio.

Dr. Wilkinson spent many hours tending to his prized garden, where he grew tomatoes and herbs for his favorite homemade salsa. He loved nothing more than spending time in nature and watching the birds. He was a lifelong learner who never lost his passion for knowledge. He instilled in his children and grandchildren a love for history, literature, and poetry. His sense of humor is a family legend, as his loved ones recount his delightful quips full of wit and wisdom.

Dr. Wilkinson is survived by countless family and friends who are honored to have shared their lives with him. These include his loving wife Regina Wilkinson; his children, Linda Riddle (David) of Pacific Grove, CA; Mary Jane Murrell (Walter John) of Dallas, TX; Joan Blakemore (Bruce) of San Antonio, TX; and John Marshall Wilkinson Jr. of Fredericksburg, TX; and his grandchildren Christoph Riddle of Los Angeles, CA; Nora Foran (Padraic) of Los Angeles, CA; Madeleine Murrell of New York, NY; Kelly Diehl (John) of Washington, D.C.; Paige Blakemore of Aspen, CO; Johnny Wilkinson of Fredericksburg, TX; and Carlotta Wilkinson of Fredericksburg, TX.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the loving friends and caregivers who made Dr. Wilkinson's last years so happy.

Dr. Wilkinson loved and supported the San Antonio Zoo throughout his life. The family suggests that any memorial donation be sent to the San Antonio Zoo, in honor of his memory.