Horacio Mendiola M.D.

After devoting his life to the healthcare of thousands of South Texas children, Horacio Mendiola, M.D. was called to be with his Lord and Savior on April 1, 2015.

Dr. Mendiola was born on May 7, 1922 in Laredo, Texas to Natalia and Celestino Mendiola. He was the youngest of six children. Upon graduating from Martin High School in Laredo, Horacio volunteered for the medical corps of the U.S. Air Force. Stationed in San Antonio during World War II, he served as an X-ray technician and medical technologist.

In 1945, he was honorably discharged and subsequently completed pre-med courses at St Mary's University and the University of Texas, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in chemistry with minors in biology and mathematics. He was the first in his family to attend and complete college.
Teaching was his first call to serve children. In 1948, Horacio accepted a high school teaching position in Rio Grande City, Texas. There he met the love of his life, Nellie Watson, when they were asked to perform the Mexican Hat dance during half time at a football game. They were drawn to each other because of their mutual passion for music and dancing.

Horacio and Nellie married in 1951. Shortly after, they moved to Monterrey, Mexico where Horacio attended medical school at the University of Nuevo Leon. During those years, their daughters Nelleen and Theresa were born.

Upon receiving his medical degree and passing the U.S. medical boards, he moved his family to Denver, Colorado for a one year rotating internship. He then completed a pediatric residency from 1960 to 1962 at Driscoll Foundation Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas. The family then decided to call Brownsville home and Dr. Mendiola became the first pediatrician in the city. While building his practice, he supplemented his income by using his love and talent for photography to take pictures at weddings and formal gatherings.

During his 42 years of practice Dr. Mendiola made a tremendous impact on the lives of children in Brownsville with selfless care and countless hours of volunteer work. The evidence could be seen even after he retired his stethoscope and medical bag. A ten minute trip to the grocery or hardware store would typically take more than an hour for Dr. Mendiola. People would stop him every few feet to embrace, thank or remind him of the care he had given them or their loved ones. Dr. Mendiola would never turn anyone away. If the parents didn't have money, he would treat the child for free. Or he would take an offer of a live chicken or goat as a form of payment.

During Dr. Mendiola's career, he served as Vice President of the Mercy Hospital medical staff, (now Valley Baptist Hospital) and received numerous awards and certificates of appreciation from the American Medical Association, the University of Texas, the Brownsville Junior Service League and the Texas Education Association.
In his spare time, Horacio enjoyed the outdoors and tended to his fruit trees and vegetable gardens. He raised small farm animals such as chickens, quail and goats. He also enjoyed spending time at his Hill Country ranch in Llano County where he hunted deer and socialized with friends and relatives.

Dr. Mendiola and Nellie were very active in social events in Brownsville, including Charro Days, hospital galas and the Gay Nighters' Dance Club. These events and many more allowed them to express their love of dancing. And dance they did...everything from the Tango to Ballroom to Country & Western. It was well known throughout Brownsville, they were always the first couple on the dance floor and the last couple off!

Horacio was the best father and grandfather anyone could ever ask for. He was considerate and generous to a fault. He placed a huge importance on education and encouraged each of his children and grandchildren to set high goals and be all they could be. Dr. Mendiola was humble and never let success get the best of him. He enjoyed meeting and knowing people from all walks of life.

Horacio was much loved and will be greatly missed by his family, friends and the numerous patients he helped during his career in medicine. He truly made a difference to all the people whose lives he touched.

He is preceded in death by Nellie Watson Mendiola, his loving wife of 59 years. Left to cherish his memory are his two daughters, Nelleen Mendiola Oliveira, (Ron Oliveira), and Theresa Mink Hall, (Dr. Curtis Hall), of Austin, Texas. Also mourning his loss are six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

The family would like to give special recognition to Catalina Mu�oz, his long term caregiver.

Visitation will be held Monday, April 6th at 5:00 pm at Darling-Mouser Funeral Home. A rosary will follow that evening at 7:00 pm. We ask that everyone meet at the church for a Liturgical Funeral Service which will be celebrated at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, April 7th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, at the corner of East 6th and Elizabeth Streets in downtown Brownsville.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Dr. Horacio & Nellie Mendiola Medical Career Scholarship Fund at the University of Texas at Brownsville, 1 West University Blvd., Brownsville, Texas 78521. Gifts can also be made online at: utb.edu/giving and reference the Mendiola Scholarship fund.

Visitation

Darling-Mouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Monday, April 6, 2015
5:00 TO 8:00 P.M.

Service

Recitation of the Holy Rosary

Darling-Mouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Monday, April 6, 2015
7:00 P.M.

Liturgical Funeral Service

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH
CORNER OF EAST ELIZABETH AND SIXTH STREETS IN DOWNTOWN BROWNSVILLE
Brownsville, TX  7852
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
5:00 P.M.

Cemetery

Val Verde Memorial Gardens Crematory
VAL VERDE ROAD
DONNA, TX  78537

Memorial Contributions

@ The University of Texas-Brownsville
Brownsville, TX  78520