There may not be another one like Dr. John M. Weed III.
Of course that’s something which gets said at retirement ceremonies but in this case it is the absolute truth.
There really may not ever be another physician like the beloved Rockdale doctor who came back to his home down and practiced medicine for an astonishing 44 years.
Aug. 30 will be his last day to see patients.
Dr. Weed was honored with an outpouring of gratitude, respect and affection at a ceremony in the Patterson Civic Center Friday attended by an estimated 150-plus persons.
‘MENTOR’—And, typically, the 1964 RHS graduate turned the tables on his well-wishers, thanking them for their support through the years.
“You have honored me with your trust,” the general practitioner who literally treated generations of Rockdale families, said.
Dr. Weed expressed his love and gratitude to his wife, Jeanie, an RN whom he termed “my mentor.”
Mrs. Weed is a longtime school nurse and is an active board member in Milam County Child Protective Services
He also thanked his nurses, Lynda Kesner and Diane Winkler.
Dr. Weed graduated from Rockdale High School in 1964, earned his undergraduate degree at Texas Tech, went on to the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston and did his internship at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth.
He returned to his home town in 1974, the year the new Richards Memorial Hospital opened. He recalled the main diagnostic tool was an x-ray.
‘GREAT THINGS’—
In addition to his 44-year medical practice, Dr. Weed has been involved in numerous civic activities, including being a long time hospital board member and former chair.
Currently, he is president of the Rockdale Municipal Development District and in April he made the announcement that a large business was expected to locate in the area.
That turned out to be Bitmain, which is expected to bring 500 jobs to the area and is renovating the former Alcoa Rockdale Operations smelter for use as a bitcoin mining center.
“I anticipate great things for Rockdale,” Dr. Weed told the crowd. “This is the end of the beginning.”
FAMILY—Keynote speaker was Dr. Dominic Dekeratry, a Georgetown pulmonologist who also practices in Rockdale.
He praised Dr. Weed’s intellect and drive, terming him “my spiritual advisor on a wide range of topics.”
“Above all he is an advocate for health care,” Dr. Dekeratry said.
The keynote speaker recalled numerous luncheon meetings with Dr. Weed including articulate conversations on topics ranging from history to football to flowers.
“But, above all, he loves to talk about his family,” Dr Dekeratry said.
The Georgetown physician touched on the variety of tasks performed by a family practice doctor and the strong bonds forged when a career spans more than four decades in the same community.
“Everyone in this room is blessed having him in your life,” Dr. Dekeratry concluded.
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