H. Kent Beasley, M.D.

Haley Kent Beasley, M.D. passed away on August 3, 2026 at the age of 91 after battling Parkinson’s disease for many years. Born in Dallas, Texas on July 24, 1935 to Arch Adam and Helen Beasley, he enjoyed an idyllic childhood roaming Highland Park and fishing Turtle Creek, always with brother Arch and a Red Ryder BB gun at his side. He graduated from Highland Park High School in 1953 and entered Southern Methodist University, earning a BA in 1958 and BBA in 1959. Briefly considering law, Kent turned to medicine, earning his degree from Tulane Medical School in 1962. After an internship at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Dr. Beasley completed Residency and Fellowship at the renowned Mayo Clinic in 1967 and practiced cardiology in Austin, Texas at the Capital Medical Clinic for nearly 50 years. A Captain in the Medical Corp of the US Army Reserves for seven years, he enjoyed treating those who had served in World War II as well as Texas statesmen and hard-working farmers and cattlemen from the land surrounding Austin, and he delighted to consult with many wonderful fellow physicians. Honors abounded, including Alpha Omega Alpha, Travis County Medical Society, Texas Medical Association, American College of Cardiology, American College of Physicians and The Texas Club of Internists, and Kent took various leadership positions in several of these and in the hospitals and departments in which he worked. A trailblazer in echocardiography, Dr. Beasley took great pride in convening a popular clinical cardiology class at University of Texas’ Institute of Computational Engineering. His hobbies included history, art appreciation, travel, fishing and hunting, and riding his James motorcycle. His wife, Mary Adele, hailed from a ranching family in Carrizo Springs and this fostered a life-long love for the Texas Hill Country. Together, they purchased Rockenframe Ranch north of Fredericksburg where he enjoyed tending Hereford cattle, driving a WWII-era army Jeep, and deer-hunting with his family. He was a loyal friend to many, with memberships in Highland Park High School Alumni Association, Phi Delta Theta fraternity, SMU Alumni Association, and Texas Tulane and Mayo Alumni Associations, and he enthusiastically supported sports in the Westlake community. Predeceased by wife Mary Adele Patterson Beasley and sister Jane Beasley Bailey, he is survived by his brother Arch Beasley Jr. and wife Ann, sister Gail Beasley Clark and husband Bob, four children Travis Beasley and wife Dana, Janet Orfield and husband Dan, Adele Rives and husband Glen and Paul Francis MacCollough Beasley. He is also survived by devoted nephews Trey and Allen Beasley, Bobby and Ben Clark and Stephen Bailey. His grandchildren include Sam Beasley, Austin Orfield, Claire Orfield, Luke Rives and Haley Rives. A memorial service and reception will be held at Weed Corley Funeral Home, 5416 Parkcrest Drive, Austin, Texas 78731 at 11 o’clock on Saturday, August 22nd. The family extends thanks to dear friend Helen Butler, his various doctors, and caregivers at The Village at The Triangle, Westminster, Halcyon and Natural Fit, Kerring Group Home Medical Equipment and Hospice Austin. Kent loved receiving flowers, so feel free to send some. Donations may be made to the Highland Park High School Education Foundation, Southern Methodist University or charity of your choice.