Nelson Ceballos

Dr. Nelson Ceballos M.D., 80, passed away February 10, 2013 with his family by his side. Dr. Ceballos was born to Licenne Delacroix and Xion Ceballos on May 11, 1932 in Torro, Columbia, S.A. Dr. Ceballos is preceded in death by his parents and siblings Hector and Graciella Ceballos. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, MaryAnn, daughters Suzanna Ceballos Albright, Gina Ceballos Tolmachoff and husband Greg Tolmachoff, and three grandchildren, Beau Nelson Tolmachoff, James Alan Albright, and Grayson Ceballos Albright.

Dr. Ceballos received his M.D. in July 1961 from University Del Valle School of Medicine in Columbia, S.A. From 1961 to 1962 he completed his Pediatric internship at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. After New York he then went to Children's Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama to complete his First and Second year Pediatric Residency. It was here in Alabama in the 1960's that Dr. Ceballos would leave a lasting impression that not only changed the life of one small boy, but many more to come. In the 1960's the hospitals were segregated into different wards, one for blacks and one for whites. A small black boy came into the emergency room with respiratory distress while Dr. Ceballos was on call and he wanted him admitted immediately. Hospital staff told him that he would not be able to admit the boy because there were no open beds. Dr. Ceballos realized that the only way to save this boys life was to admit him, black or white he was going to get a bed. He called the medical director of the hospital who happened to be on vacation in Hawaii, asking for his support and that is exactly what he got, the boy was admitted to the hospital. That was the day segregation ended in Children's Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama.

In 1963 Dr. Ceballos turned his focus to Psychiatry in St. Louis, Missouri at Washington University School of Medicine. Upon finishing his First and Second year Residency he went on to do a fellowship in Child/Adolescent Psychiatry from 1965-1967. This special place is where he would meet the love of his life for the last 45 years, Mary Ann. Mary Ann was from a small town in Illinois and decided to leave the family tavern to come to the big city to become a nurse. They met when she was just 18, she was a nursing student and he was a resident. They married in 1968 and lived in St. Louis until 1970 when they moved to Austin, Texas.

Dr. Ceballos became the Medical Director of the Austin Child and Guidance Center here in Austin from 1970-1973 and Staff Psychiatrist at St Jude's Adolescent Psychiatric Hospital from 1971-1975 and Brackenridge Hospital from 1971-1979. He has been a Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Psychiatric and Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch since 1975 and has had held multiple teaching and consulting positions for the last 35 years. Dr. Ceballos started his own Private Practice in the early 80's and was the Clinical Director at Shoal Creek Hospital for the Child/Adolescent Unit since 1985. Dr. Ceballos was still seeing patients up until his hospitalization.

Dr. Ceballos has touched many lives and has left a footprint that will never be forgotten. He did many wonderful things for many people, but the most important thing he did was love his family. Nelson was a kind and generous soul; he would give and never ask for anything in return. He cared deeply for nature and animals and believed that everyone and everything should be treated with kindness and respect. His family was most important to him and he showed that everyday with his patience, compassion and love. He exuded love and peace and is truly a legend in his own right, our Papa.

There will be visitation held at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 North Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78705 on Friday, February 15, 2013 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. There will be a funeral service at St. Austin's Catholic Church at 2026 Guadalupe Street, Austin, Texas 78705 on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery.

Flowers may be sent to Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home at the above address. Alternatively, a donation in Dr. Ceballos' memory can be made to The Humane Society of Austin, 124 W. Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas 78752.