GEORGE OTTO ZENNER, JR., M.D.
1935-2021
George Otto Zenner Jr., M.D. passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, the 13th of July 2021, surrounded by his wife and children. He was 86 years old.
George was born in
Niagara Falls, New York, on the 10th of January 1935, to George Otto Zenner Sr. and Marjorie Mullane Zenner. The family moved to Texas in 1945 when George was ten years old.
Upon graduating from
St. Thomas High School in Houston in 1952, George then earned his B.A. in biology from The Rice Institute in Houston (now Rice University) in 1956. He continued his education at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, where he received his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1960. Following his medical school graduation, George obtained his three-year formal training to practice medicine as a General Practitioner: one year at Hermann Hospital in Houston, and the following two years at the VA Hospital in Houston, under the direction of, and while completing his two-year military service with the United States Navy as a Lieutenant and physician.
George started his private practice in Houston in 1963. For fifteen years he built a highly respected practice in Family Medicine. In 1978 he decided to depart private practice and then assumed teaching and administrative leadership positions with the University of Texas – Houston Medical School Family Practice Residency Program, where he would eventually become its director. During this time, he also spent over fifteen years on the University of Texas – Houston Medical School Admissions Committee. Over his 54-year medical career, he had multiple leadership positions including Chief of Staff at Memorial Southwest Hospital, President of the southwest chapter of the Harris County Medical Society, and multiple roles with the Texas Medical Association and Texas Medical Foundation. Prior to his semi-retirement in 2000, he was voted the Best Family Practice Doctor in Houston. From 2000 until 2017, he remained an active physician serving patients for Memorial Hermann.
His faith, his family, his patients, and his country remained George’s top commitments throughout his life. Most of his words and actions were driven by his unwavering respect for these priorities. A devout Catholic, George lived his life by his strong faith. He was a man who believed firmly in humility and modesty – most always placing others ahead of himself. He was such a strong example for his children and others because he was a positive man who always saw the good in people, experiences, and even challenges. He seemed to never meet a stranger and was genuinely interested in meeting new people. He was always in search of new experiences and the chance to simply have fun and laugh. Always the storyteller, he injected humor in every opportunity that he had. He made people laugh, and he loved doing so. To say that he sought fun is an understatement. He was constantly developing a new hobby. He loved the outdoors, and thoroughly enjoyed his hunting and fishing trips. As his sons grew older, he introduced then to “camping trips” to Las Vegas, where he was thrilled to share his love for headline entertainers, dinner theatres and old-timer comedy shows. He became a pilot in his 50s. He loved to travel, introducing his family at a young age to always new and exciting places. He and Tommye then spent their last three decades traveling with their best friends to see as much of the world as they could. This sparked yet another hobby - - that of being a film maker who memorialized all their travels into home movies of which he was so proud. He also maintained a passion for sports. Starting as a young doctor, he enjoyed his Friday night high school football, walking the sidelines as Strake Jesuit’s team doctor. Then on Sundays, he spent his afternoons in the Astrodome supporting his favored Houston Oilers. As he grew older, his sports interests shifted to his grandchildren’s little league baseball, football and basketball games. And he rarely missed a Saturday afternoon Notre Dame football game. All in all, George found great balance and purpose in his life. His everyday smile and positive outlook were infectious to those around him. His commitment to helping others who were sick, to his children that he was raising, to his wife that he loved, and to his God that he served made him a man that was so deeply admired and will undoubtedly be missed.
George is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Tommye Hackney Zenner, and their five children: George Otto Zenner III, M.D. and wife Chris, Colleen Zenner Bischoff and husband Mike, Thomas Hackney Zenner and wife Kelly, Christian Eric Zenner, and Kyle Franklin Zenner and wife Courtney, all of Houston. He was the proud grandfather of: Ramie Zenner McDonald and husband Kyle, George Zenner IV, Francie Zenner, Michael Bischoff and wife Julia, Katie Bischoff Glover and husband Thomas, Lauren Bischoff, Allie Bischoff, Andrew Bischoff, Thomas Zenner Jr., Margo Zenner, Emily Zenner, Kendall Zenner, Courtney Zenner, Megan Zenner, Christian Zenner Jr., Patrick Zenner, Cate Zenner, and Ella Zenner, and his great grandchildren Audrey Bischoff and Theo Bischoff. He is also survived by his brother Richard Brian Zenner and wife Melonie, of Plano, Texas, their daughter Shannon Zenner Davis and husband Gregory, son Brian Zenner and wife Barbara, and grandchildren Eleanor Davis, Owen Zenner, and Jacob Zenner.
The family extends its gratitude to George’s physicians Angel Blanco, M.D., Patrick
Cook, M.D., Hal Condara, M.D., Ranjay Rakkhit,
M.D., and Ross Ruel, M.D. The family further appreciates the care provided by Houston Hospice and by George’s private caregivers for the last two months -Wanda Loveless and Patricia Ekhuemelo employed by Sid Gerber’s Personal Caregiving Services. Finally, the family also gives enormous thanks to Maria Galvez and Sylvia Molina who have for decades provided loving support to George and his family.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are George’s grandsons, his son-in-law Mike Bischoff, and his grandsons-in-law Thomas Glover and Kyle McDonald. Honorary pallbearers include Robert T. Herrin Jr., Frederick T. Magee, Charles E. Russo, M.D., George W. Strake Jr., and his late friends Max C. Butler, M.D., Thomas N. Hutcheson, Christopher A. Kaeppel, M.D., Stephen C. Sims, Charles N. Schwarz, and C. Frank Webber, M.D.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Monday, the 19th of July, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
The Mass of Christian Burial is to be offered at two o’clock in the afternoon at
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church,1801 Sage Road in Houston, where Fr. Wayne Wilkerson, Pastor, is to serve as celebrant.
The family will gather for a private interment at a later time at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests memorial contributions to be made to St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Rd., Houston, TX 77056; or to The Rise School, 5618 H. Mark Crosswell Jr. St., Houston, TX 77021; or to the charity of one’s choice.
Please visit Dr. Zenner’s online memorial tribute page at GeoHLewis.com where memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with his family.