Dr. Lee LaGrone

December 31, 1923 - October 12, 2009

Dr. Lee LaGrone was born Dec. 31, 1923, in Selma, Ala., where he and his sister, Frances, grew up, blessed with caring parents. He graduated from high school in 1942 and enlisted in the Army to single-handedly rescue his country from the tyranny of World War II. He served in Germany in the 407th Infantry regiment. In addition to the Combat Infantry Medal, he was awarded campaign ribbons for combat duty in the Siegfried Line and Ruhr Valley, Rhineland and Central Germany. After three years of military service, he returned home to begin what seemed an endless pursuit for education. After graduating cum laude from the University of Maryland, he returned to Alabama to attend the University of Alabama Medical School in Birmingham. He and Julie met there and were married in 1952. After graduation and internship, he spent three years in family practice, after which they moved to Houston for a residency at M.D. Anderson in anesthesiology. During the time Julie and Lee spent in Alabama and Houston, they were blessed with three children: Lee Jr., Melissa and Ben. The family came to Fort Worth in 1961 and he joined the staff at All Saints Hospital. During the following 30 years, Lee served on the anesthesiology department of All Saints Hospital, Huguley Hospital and Fort Worth Day Surgery Hospital. During this time he served as chairman of the department of anesthesiology for several years and chairman of credentialing committee until retirement. He was a member of Tarrant County Medical Society, American Society of Anesthesiology and Colonial Country Club. His was a loving and appreciative life. He often mentioned the enormity and fullness of his life. He had many hobbies that he enjoyed, including extensive travel, golf, bridge and hunting.