James A. Twining, M.D., longtime Clear Lake resident and local pediatrician, was born on October 5, 1939 and passed away on October 26, 2012, after a brief battle with cancer. Dr. Twining founded Bay Area Pediatrics in 1973. Dr. Twining, an Illinois native, graduated from Drake University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1963. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the College Of Medicine at the University of Illinois in Chicago and completed his rotating medical internship at Chicago's Cook County Hospital. In 1966, he completed his Pediatric residency at Baylor Affiliated Hospital Residency Program at the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas. He served two years as a physician in the United States Army, attaining the rank of Major at Madigan Army Medical Center at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington. Dr. Twining was Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He was a member of the Texas Medical Association, Texas Pediatric Society, Bay Area Pediatric Society and a Clinical Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine. He was affiliated with Texas Children's and Memorial Hermann Children's Hospitals. His active hospital staff affiliation was at the Clear Lake Regional Medical Center. This highly respected and dedicated pediatrician is survived by his loving wife, (Patricia) Sissy Twining; five sons: Jeffrey; Donald and wife Danette; Phillip; Andrew and wife Annie; and Steve and wife Lauren. There are nine grandchildren: Ethan, Hannah, Molly, Henry, Lucy, Jessica, Garret, Jake and Travis as well as one sister, Barbara Clark and her husband, Gene of North Carolina; two brothers-in-law, David and his wife Ann Pearce; and Mickey and his wife Robbin Nottingham along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marjorie and Donald Twining. Dr. Twining's diverse interests ranged from being an avid reader to fly fishing, hot air ballooning, bicycling, mountain climbing, traveling and his devotion to his family. Above all, Dr. Twining truly loved his pediatric medical practice and the children for whom he cared, watching them grow up and become parents for the next generation. He will be missed by many friends, family and patients. Many special thanks and gratitude go out to all of the doctors and nurses at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Vitas Innovative Hospice Care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial contributions may be directed to one of the following: Saint Thomas Apostle Episcopal Church at 18300 Upper Bay Road, Nassau Bay, Texas 77058; UT MD Anderson Cancer Center at P. O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210-4486: Attention: Donations to Nizar Tannir, MD for Kidney Cancer Research or www.mdanderson.org/gifts; The Texas Children's Hospital, Attention: Neuroblastoma Research, Department of Development, Suite 5214, P. O. Box 300630, Houston, Texas 77230-0630. Memorial services will be officiated by Father Bill Hyde and held on Friday, November 2, 2012 at 2:00 pm at the Saint Thomas Apostle Episcopal Church at 18300 Upper Bay Road, Nassau Bay, Texas 77058. Immediately following the service, guests are invited to greet the family in the church Parish Hall. If prompted, to submit an online condolence message or post a photo, the Access Code is the word 'obit'.