Charles James Caruso, M.D.

Charles “Chuck” James Caruso, M. D. FAAP, 91 years old, passed away on November 9, 2019. Dr. Caruso was preceded in death by his beloved and beautiful wife, Mary Jane “Sam” Burkett Caruso. He was born 25 January 1928 in Greenville, MS, the son of Tomaso “Tony” Caruso and Esperanza Josephine Giglio Caruso, both deceased, as well as one sister, Theresa Caruso Johnston. Chuck attended grade and high school at St. Rose of Lima School in Greenville. Shortly after, he enlisted in the U. S. Army, training at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas and spent the remainder of time at Fort Ord, Ca. He served from 1946-1948 as a clerk and Army clerk in the personnel section and discharged in the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Chuck entered Spring Hill College at Mobile, Alabama and after three years and two summers at college, he graduated with a B. S. degree in Biology. He then attended Tulane University School of Medicine, NOLA. After Chuck graduated, he did one year of rotating internship and a pediatrics residency at Charity Hospital at NOLA.

While Chuck was an intern, he met his “one and only” love, Mary Jane “Sam”, formerly of Hattiesburg, MS, daughter of Edgar Ernest Burkett and Mary Audrey Sullivan Burkett. They moved to Houston, Texas in 1958. Dr. Caruso, a pediatrician, was invited to join MacGregor Medical Clinic as the fifth physician which in time became known as the “founding fathers” of MacGregor Medical Clinic Associates.

At that time, he attended at “all” the hospitals in Houston, thankfully, most were in the Texas Medical Center. MacGregor became associated with The Prudential Company as the first working HMO in Texas, known as PruCare. Chuck was a member of Texas Medical Association, Southern Medical Association, Texas Pediatric Society, Harris County Medical Society, Houston Pediatric Society and served on many of them in various elected positions and committees.

Chuck and “Sam” had a farm near Brenham, TX and spent many days and weekends there. They were very active “planters” of trees and flowers and of course mowing and weeding. Chuck was an avid hand gun collector and served as a Reserve Sheriff Deputy.

Dr. Caruso is survived by his three children, Charles Lawrence Caruso and wife, Sandra, of Houston, daughters, Lisa Paige Caruso Wehmer, of Buda, Tx, and Whitney Blaine Caruso Garney and husband, Lowell, of Houston, three granddaughters, Charlotte Lauren Caruso, Jessica Paige Caruso and Megan Elizabeth Garney, all of Houston.

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to Holy Ghost Parish Church and School, 6921 Chetwood, Houston, Texas, 77081. Visitation will be at Earthman Funeral Home Bellaire on Wednesday, November 13, 2019, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A funeral mass will be held Thursday, November 14, 2019 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church at 10:00 AM with a reception immediately following at Holy Ghost.