Jose A. Dr. Eisma

Col. Jose A. Eisma, MD, age 71, of West, passed away Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at the Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, after a three week battle with complications following an injury at home. A rosary will be recited and Mass of Christian Burial celebrated 10:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, with Rev. Ed Karasek officiating. Military graveside Rites will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, conducted by West V.F.W. Post No. 4819. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Dr. Joe was born October 18, 1939 to respected teachers Marcelo and Rosa Eisma in Jolo, Sulu, Philippines, the third of four brothers. He was an Eagle Scout. He received his doctorate of medicine in 1963 from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. Dr. Joe came to the United States in 1964 to complete his internship and residency at Wilson Memorial in Johnson City, NY. He became a U.S. citizen in 1973. A Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP), he worked tirelessly and generously in his family medical practice for the past 37 years up until the day before his injury. He will be sorely missed. Ever a true boy scout, he entered military service as a Captain MC of the U.S. Army in 1971, with assignments to hospitals at Ft. Sill, OK and Ft. Sam Houston, being honorably discharged as a Major MC, in 1974. Dr. Joe joined the Texas Army National Guard, where he served as Medical Unit Commander and State Surgeon. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, and many others. He retired a Colonel in 2000 with 27 years of commissioned service. A fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 2305 in West, Dr. Joe has been a longtime member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption. He was faithful to God, public service, and family; and he enjoyed a lifetime love of medicine, books, and learning. Dr. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Marcelo and Carlito. Survivors include his beloved wife of 34 years, Lori Eisma of West; his loving children, John Mitchell and wife Andrea of Wylie, Greg Mitchell and wife Doris of West, TereLyn Hepple and husband Scott of Flower Mound, Julia Eisma of Waco, Lorell Costello and husband Billy of Waco, and Joseph Eisma and wife Kim of Wylie; a brother, Alex Eisma, MD, and wife Del of Omro, WI; a close cousin, Zeny Robles, MD, of Italy; 7 grandchildren, Ben, Scotty, Samuel, Daniel, Alex, Carmen, and Logan; his beloved cat, Shiner Bob; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Rob Womack, Andrew Womack, Scott Hepple, Billy Costello, David Pareya, and Brett Vick. Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren, Dr. Billy D. Pierce, Dr. George N. Smith, Dr. Bill Manax, Paula Snokhous, Angela Trotter, Denise Macik, Delores Sykora, Denise Kubacak and Polly Killough. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the West Knights of Columbus Memorial Building Fund or the ACTS Community.