Charles Bessire, MD

Charles Dewart Bessire, age 84, passed away on August 31, 2018. Charles was born near the small community of Lebanon Texas on March 13, 1934, the only child of Charlie Dewart Bessire and Hattie May Montgomery Bessire who were also born in the same area. In 1983 the family moved to Waco Texas where Charles attended a private school and completed the first four grades in two years. In 1942 the family moved to a farm near Elkhart Texas for one year then located to Keene Texas where his father managed a farm and large dairy. Charles attended grade and high school in Keene and graduated from high school in 1950 at the age of 16. Following graduation, he attended one year of junior college and enrolled in Madison College where he met Lily Margaret Sherrill who was also a student. Charles graduated in 1955 with a BS in Medical Technology and was a certified x-ray technician. During college Charles and Lily were married. After graduation they moved to Baytown Texas where both worked at a local hospital. During this time, Charles decided to apply to medical school. The family (Charles, Lily, Randy, and Cheryl) moved to Anahuac Texas. Lily worked in a clinic and Charles commuted to Lamar University to complete his pre-med requirements. In 1958 he was accepted by three medical schools and selected UTMB at Galveston graduating in 1962. Following an internship at Robert B. Green Hospital in San Antonio, he opened a practice in Pasadena Texas. In 1967 he entered the army where he served as a flight surgeon stationed in Okinawa. He was discharged in 1969 with the rank of Major and received a medal for meritorious service. After discharge he returned to Pasadena and restarted his practice. He became very active in the Harris County Medical Society, serving on numerous committees and boards. He was elected to the executive committee, treasurer, and president (1988). He served as president of the Southeast Branch of the Harris County Medical Society two times and served on the board of TEX PAC. In 1971 along with eight other physicians, they purchased Pasadena General Hospital where he served as president of the ownership group and chairman of the board. With five partners he managed the construction of a medical office building with 14 physician suites, pharmacy, x-ray, and lab. Charles continued to manage the building until it was sold in 2000. He remained an active member of the staff of Pasadena General Hospital until it closed. During these years Charles served on the Boards of the Museum of Natural Science, The Health Museum, and Texas Medical Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. He organized the 4,000-member Gulf Coast IPA, and a member owned Health Insurance company. From 1985 to 1993 he was Director of the City of Pasadena Health, Human, and EMS departments. In 1993 he ran for mayor of Pasadena, losing in a runoff. In 1995 Charles moved his office to Pasadena Bayshore Hospital. While at Bayshore he served and was Chair of the Department of Family Practice, member of the Executive Committee, Chief of Staff, member of the Board of Governors for ten years and chair for three years. He served on an advisory board for Southwestern Region HCA and was Medical Director for Lubrizol Corporation Texas from 1991 to 2017. From 1971-2018, Charles was also designated to give FAA flight physicals. He and Lily traveled widely including Asia, South America, and Europe. Charles remained an avid SCUBA diver and piloted his own plane until it was sold in 2016. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, 2 great grandchildren, and his wife Lily Margaret. He leaves behind his children William Randall Bessire and Cheryl Ann Marsh, 4 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, numerous friends and colleagues, and his dear cat Annie. A memorial visitation will be held at Rosewood Funeral Home, 3939 Pasadena Blvd., Pasadena TX 77503 on Saturday, September 29 from 1p-4p. Memorial gifts may be made to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, The Health Museum, or charity of your choice.