Dr. Thomas J Weatherall Jr.

Dr. Thomas J. Weatherall, Jr. was born April 10, 1929 in New York City to Thomas Jefferson Weatherall Sr. and Tommie Kilpatrick Storer. At the age of 4, the family moved to Kosciusko, Mississippi as a result of the Great Depression. He grew up with his first cousins in the family home built by their grandfather.

He had such found memories of these years, often telling stories of the mischief and fun they had. They were quite a spirited group of children who were always getting themselves into great adventures and predicaments in growing up in a small town. They loved playing practical jokes, and he continued to love that throughout his life. These years would shape him into the man he would become as family and taking care of others was always first.

Dr. Weatherall graduated from Kosciusko High School in 1947, and then received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Alabama in 1949. He went on to earn his medical degree from Vanderbilt University in 1953 where he graduated with honors. He was a member of the Phi Chi medical fraternity as well as the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. A patriot, he enlisted in the Army after graduation.

Dr. Weatherall interned at Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, TX and then went on to serve in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in Alaska as the Head Battalion Surgeon. He was honorably discharged in 1956 as First Lieutenant. Upon returning, he briefly practiced general medicine and then completed a residency in Radiology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center where was Chief Resident in 1959-1960. Dr. Weatherall moved to Houma, LA in 1960 to practice radiology. In 1967 he was instrumental in assembling a group of doctors to form the Houma Medical and Surgical Clinic. This clinic was the largest multi-specialty clinic in Southeast Louisiana at the time, changing the way medicine was practiced locally.

Dr. Weatherall decided to retrain in the up and coming field of Radiation Oncology. In 1971, he trained at the Seroni Tumor Institute in San Francisco, Stanford University Medical Center, as well as the prestigious Royal Marsden Hospital in London. He brought many protocols for Radiation Oncology back to Louisiana that were not yet being used, changing the face of cancer treatment.

In 1974, he opened the Intercommunity Cancer Center, the first cancer center in Houma, LA, where he served as Medical Director from 1975-2004. He served as Chief of Staff at Terrebonne General Hospital in 1975. He also opened the Intercommunity Cancer Center of New Orleans at Baptist Hospital, where he also served as Medical Director. He spent the next years of his life traveling between Houma and New Orleans caring for patients with the latest technologies of cancer treatment. His influence also reached into the medical community through various teaching positions at Tulane, Charity Hospital, and the New Orleans VA Hospital.

Always seeking to bring care to patients closer to their home, he was instrumental in opening Slidell Radiation Center at Slidell Memorial Hospital in 1989. He was Medical Director from 1989 – 2010. He “retired” at age 81 in May 2010, but continued to care for patients in Slidell until two days before his death. He was known as a mentor to his staff, always taking time out to teach. Dr. Weatherall always extended love and compassion to his patients and staff no matter how busy his schedule. He loved with all of his heart caring for others and being a doctor. Practicing medicine was never work, but instead an act of love. The flag at Slidell Memorial Hospital was flown at half staff upon his death, a symbol of service, heroism, and love for him.

In his career of over 60 years, he received numerous accolades including: Fellow, American College of Radiology, 1996;

Fellow, American College of Radiation Oncology, 2000; 2003 Physician of the Year by the National Republican Committee Physician Advisory Board; 2010 City Business Healthcare Hero Award. He was recognized by the State of Louisiana, the City of New Orleans, and the President of the United States in 2003 for his contributions to the medical community. He was a member of countless medical organizations. Among these he served as President of the Louisiana Society of Radiation Oncology, the New Orleans Society of Radiation Oncology, and the Council of Affiliated Regional Radiation Societies. He was also a board member of the American College of Radiology and the American College of Radiation Oncology.

Although he devoted so much of his life to being a doctor, he will be remembered by his family as being the most devoted husband and father. His wife, Jennie, was the absolute love of his life. He lived a full and adventurous life. He was a pilot and golfer, but boating was a great passion. He spent many weekends on his boats, both racing in the Portsmouth class and just enjoying being on the water. He was a member of the Southern Yacht Club, as well as the New Orleans Country Club. He was an active volunteer with the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation since 1989 and served as a member of the Board. He also loved his dogs, naming his last boat after his favorite dog ‘Chloe’.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Jennifer Claire Vincent Weatherall; children Thomas Edward Weatherall (Lisa), Wendy Weatherall Kerrigan, and Rebecca Weatherall Cope (Jason); grandchildren Lauren, Tom, Stephanie, Thomas, Robert, Brayden, and Claire. Dr. Weatherall fulfilled his love and purpose in life through caring for others and will be greatly missed by all who were honored to know this amazing man.

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate his life with a Memorial Service on Sunday, February 8, 2015 at 2:00 pm on the lawn of the Southern Yacht Club followed by a reception at the club. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm until service time. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Louisiana SPCA, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, the Wounded Warrior Project and the Southern Sailing Foundation (www.southernsailingfoundation.org).