Dr. John William O'Banion

John William O’Banion was born at
home in Ennis, Texas September 25, 1925
and passed away at home in Snyder, Texas
April 13, 2018. A distinguished member of
the Greatest Generation, Dr. O’Banion grew
up during the great depression, attended
Texas A&M and then joined the United
States Army to serve in World War II as a 1st
Lieutenant in an armored division stationed
in Mittenwald Germany from 1944 to 1948.
Upon his return from Germany, he completed
his pre-medical studies at Southern
Methodist University, and met and married
Eleanor (Mendy) Mendenhall. He earned
his medical degree at Southwestern Medical
School in Dallas graduating 3rd in his class
and was accepted into Alpha Omega Alpha
Medical Honor Society. He completed his
medical internship in Riverside, California
in 1955 where he also earned his pilot’s
license. His life-long passion for aviation
allowed him to enjoy many adventures flying
light planes well into his 70s.

Dr. O’Banion did his surgical residency in
Parkland Hospital in Dallas where he rose to
Chief Resident and graduated in June, 1959.
He and his wife Mendy and two daughters
then moved to Snyder to set up a surgical
practice which he continued for 27 years, well
known to the Snyder community as a highly
skilled surgeon as well as a philanthropist to
those in need. He was Board Certified by
the American Board of Surgeons in 1962 and
was inducted as a Fellow into the American
College of Surgeons in 1964. He served as
Chief of Staff in Cogdell Memorial Hospital
in Snyder, Texas for many years (here he
became known as the man to go to for the
most difficult life-and-death cases… and also
became known as “Chief Blister Tongue,” to
the operating room team!)

After retiring from his Medical Practice he
pursued another of his passions… ranching.
He ranched cattle in Texas and Oklahoma,
each bearing his distinctive Greek letter
“Alpha” brand. To help fulfill his life-long
dream of owning his own spread, he pursued
his interests in real estate, the stock market
and oil exploration with great success. He
enjoyed enduring friendships with many
Snyder Community leaders and was a regular
at the Men’s Sunday school class at Colonial
Hill Baptist Church.
He is survived by two daughters,
Patricia O’Banion Briggs and her husband
Will Briggs III PhD, Sugarland, Texas;
Dr. Kathleen O’Banion and her husband
Dr. Frank Koniges, Haddonfield, New
Jersey; and his son, John (Jack) William
O’Banion III and his wife Tamarah Ann
O’Banion, Powder Springs, Georgia as
well as seven Grandchildren: Andrew
O’Banion Briggs, Sugarland, Texas, Adam
Elliott Briggs, Houston, Texas, Audrey
Koniges Bender, Silver Spring, Maryland,
Craig William Koniges, Philadelphia, New
Jersey, Katherine Hayley Koniges, Highland
Park, New Jersey, Austin James O’Banion,
Auburn, Alabama, Brandon Ryan O’Banion,
Powder Springs, Georgia, and a precious
new great-granddaughter, Eleanor Brooke
Bender of Silver Spring, Maryland.

Dr. John O’Banion is preceded in death
by his wife, Eleanor Mendy O’Banion and
his parents, John William O’Banion Jr. PhD,
and Minnie D. O’Banion.

Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Jim Burleson for
his friendship and outstanding medical care.
Dr. O’Banion’s family thanks Marie Durst
and Amanda Torres for their devoted care of
our father.

Visitation hours will be Monday evening,
April 16th from 6:00-7:00 pm at Bell-Cypert-
Seale Funeral Home with Services being
held on Tuesday the 17th of April at 2:00 pm
at Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home.
For those that wish to do so memorials
for Dr. O’Banion may be made to Cogdell
Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Online Condolences may be posted at www.bellcypertseale.com