Dr. Romulo G. Vea

1957 – 2023

Romulo Galicinao Vea died peacefully in his sleep February 2, 2023 at his home in Shreveport, Louisiana surrounded by his beloved wife and daughter. He was 65 years old. A public Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, April 15 at 2 PM CST in the chapel of Centuries Funeral Home on 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, Louisiana 71108.

Romulo Vea was born on September 3, 1957 in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, the son of Lourdes Galicinao Vea and Isidro Vea. He attended high school in Bacarra and went to Manila for his college education at University of Santo Tomas. He proceeded to complete his medical degree at the University of Santo Tomas wherein he graduated with the highest grade of “Meritissimus” and was in the top 5 of the Philippine Physician Licensure exam.

He met his future wife Mary Grace De Joya at the Philippine Heart Center for Asia when they were both in residency training. It was at this time that he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Romulo went on to top the specialty board exam in Radiology.

Romulo and his wife practiced in several top hospitals in the Philippines and were married in 1992. Their daughter was born the following year. They went to the United States in 1994 for fellowship training in New Orleans together with their daughter and returned to the Philippines to resume their practice. In 2005, the family immigrated to the United States when Romulo accepted the invitation to be part of the faculty of Interventional Radiology at the LSU in New Orleans.

A gifted lecturer and a passionate teacher, he would prepare lectures and materials to impart to his residents even in his spare time because he truly valued shaping them into the best doctors they could be. He was known to give Radiology “boot camps” in his home where he shared nuggets of knowledge, good food, and an occasional song or two during karaoke get togethers. Not one to use the usual templates, he did extensive research to share with clinicians to aid them in their clinical management. He is remembered as the gentle giant, a man of few words who preferred to remain silent and listen, but had a commanding presence when he spoke. He exemplified kindness and meekness and was a gifted cook, gardener, and scholar. He worked with a passion to excel and put importance in being a faithful husband, loving father, and good provider for his family. But above all, he had the passion to serve the Lord in all that he does. In his final days, Romulo fought the good fight, kept his faith, and he had finished the race of life. Indeed, it is a celebration that he now worships in the presence of our Lord.

Romulo is predeceased by his parents, Isidro Vea and Lourdes Galicinao Vea, and only sister, Angelita Corpus. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife Mary Grace De Joya and daughter Isabelle De Joya Vea; brothers and sisters in law, uncles and aunts, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Rene and Divine De Joya, Voltaire and Eleanor Albano, Vicky and Don Albano, Thomas and Mary Lou Allen, Barbara Kuehn, Conchitina and Stephen Montgomery, Lisa De Joya, Ferdinand and Grace De Joya, Ardelino and Erlinda Galicinao, Joel Galicinao, Dr. Amie and Dr. Pierce Nunley, Mercedes Pitts, Aida and William Garcia, Leah and John Selloriquez, Quilyn and Jeffrey Barnes, Becca Crosby, Pastor Billy Crosby, Teresa Mosher, Carol and Chris Westbrook, Dr. May Ann and Dr. Lionel Lao, Kyle Shannon, Daniel and Jenna Sanchez, Katie Tso, Alex Cheung, Jennifer Kim, Dr. David and Bethany Manning, Dr. Allan and Yvonne Manning, Dr. Emil and Rima Supsupin, Rayonia Colbert, Di Winningham, Ann Mook, Amy Yates, Tessa and Keith Cang, Joyce Foster, Dr. Simon and Angie Long, Betsy Sample, Abigail Mitchell, Peggy and Craig Harshfield, Arrie McLaurin, Carolyn Mills, Claire Gates, Charlie Nguyen, Emily Soh, Hung Nguyen, Dr. Diana and Dr. Kenneth Lim, Dr. Rosario-Riel and Dr. Ramon Romero, Drs. Yemisi and Kunle Ojemakinde, Nance and Howie Kauffman, Dr. Annabelle Pabiona De Guzman, and Dr. John Oliver Selloriquez,

The family would also like to thank the Dr. Hugo Cuellar and LSUSHC Department of Radiology, Dr. Prakash Peddi and the Willis Knighton Cancer Center, Dr. John Bienvenu and the Gastrointestinal Specialists, Dr. Robert Sogomonian, Maria Dias and WK Pierremont ICU, WK Pierremont ER, The HBS Group, The Thursday Prayer Group, Dr. Wilfrido Castañeda Zuniga, Dr. Honorato Piedad, UERM Medical School Class of 1983, UST Medical School Class of 1982, Lana Ethridge, Christina Sebastian, Leslie French, Emily Zeagler, Sarah Susillovich, Robert Matthews, Dr. Todd Thoma, and Centuries Funeral Home.

Friends that are unable to attend the service can ZOOM in at the following link.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/196907145?pwd=ZjQ3Ull5bTlrQ0hnU2RIWDc5K3FKUT09

Meeting ID:196 907 145

Passcode: ROMANS

USA: Saturday, April 15 @ 2:00 PM CST

MANILA : Sunday, April 16 @ 3:00 AM

DUBLIN: Saturday, April 15 @ 8:00 PM

SYDNEY: Sunday, April 16 @ 5:00 AM

KUWAIT: Saturday, April 15 @10:00 PM