Dr. George Pyle Quirk

Born on April 25, 1930, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, he was the third of the four boys of Dr. Thomas Charles and Ruth Pyle Quirk. George graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science degree. He went on to complete his education at dental school there and was a member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society.

During the Korean War, he provided dentistry as a full lieutenant in the US Navy stationed at Chase Field in Beeville, Texas. Following discharge, he began studies in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) at the Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He completed his residency at hospitals in Houston including the VA and Ben Taub. He opened his private practice there subsequently. Over the years, he was fortunate to practice with Drs. James Johnson, Michael O’Shell, and Thai Vuu. Dr. Quirk served as president of the Houston and Southwest Societies of the OMS. He was also a member of the Texas Society of OMS, and the Greater Houston, Texas, and American Dental Societies. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of OMS. Throughout his career, George was dedicated to training others in the dental profession, including numerous seminars with his lifelong friend, Dr. Fred Garrett.

He married Elizabeth Anne Ruff on June 9, 1956. He and Anne recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Taking care of Anne was always foremost in George’s mind, and he was always reaching out to take her hand as they supported each other through the years. Being a father was central to George’s life. His children, Christopher of Louisville, Kentucky, Kevin (Georgene Huckeba) of Houston, and Grace (Dr. Jeffrey Thompson) of Leawood, Kansas, were fortunate to have his guidance throughout their lives. They cherish his love of holidays, his amazing Christmas trees, and his ever-present sense of humor. He made wonderful memories at their home in Bunker Hill Village as well as at the family lake house at Lakeway on Lake Travis. George was especially close to his granddaughters, Caroline (Patrick Hickey) and Georgia (Sam Perkins) and welcomed great-grandsons, Clark Perkins and Hunt Hickey in recent years.

Beyond caring for generations of Houstonians, George was a talented do-it-yourselfer who never shied away from any home repair project including installing an entire landscape irrigation system. He was a talented artist who could sketch anything. He painted, crafted jewelry, and took beautiful photos of his children’s lives. His Catholic faith was central to George. He was an early member of St. Cyril of Alexandria and later was active at St. Cecilia Catholic Church. His life was dedicated to serving others including being a pastoral care minister with Anne at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital for many years. George volunteered in the dental department of the San Jose Clinic, and for more than thirty years, he was privileged to play Santa Claus at their Christmas party where he distributed gifts to patient’s families.

The Mass of Christian Burial is to be offered at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2026 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc Drive in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the nearby church Community Center.

The family will gather for a private inurnment at Our Lady of Walsingham.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family kindly requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be made in honor of Dr. George Pyle Quirk’s life and enduring legacy to the San Jose Dental Clinic, 2615 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77002, or to the charity of your choice.

Please visit Dr. Quirk’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared with his family.