Edward B. Singleton MD

Edward was born on the 22nd of October 1920 in Galveston, Texas to Dr. Albert O. Singleton and Will Dean Bivens Singleton. A proud "B.O.I." (Born On the Island), Edward had a happy childhood which he shared with his older brother Albert junior. He attended Ball High School, where he was voted Best Boy Dancer! Growing up he was passionate about baseball, climbing trees, spending time with friends and horseback riding on the beach.

After high school, Edward graduated from the University of Texas in Austin where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity as were his father and brother. He was a die-hard Longhorn fan throughout his life and loved everything UT related. He then went on to Medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston where he was elected to the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha - a national honor society for medical students. Here he began pursuing his dream of becoming a physician. Like many young men of his age, Edward longed to serve his country during World War II. Much to his surprise and dismay he was told that he, along with ten percent of his medical school class were ineligible because of contracting tuberculosis. After finishing his residency, he was drafted and served in the Air Force while based in Alaska. Edward had hoped to follow in his father's and brother's footsteps and become a surgeon but because of his TB diagnosis, he was advised that surgery would be too demanding. He instead chose radiology and in 1953 became Chief of Radiology at two new combined hospitals being built in Houston - Texas Children's Hospital and St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital. He became Professor of Radiology at Baylor College of Medicine and a short time later became Professor of Radiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Edward has been awarded numerous honors and accolades throughout his illustrious career. These include among others: a 1980 recipient of UTMB's Ashbel Smith Distinguished Alumnus Award ~ the university's highest medical alumni honor. In 1991 the Society of Gastrointestinal Radiologists awarded him the Walter B. Cannon medal for his outstanding contributions to the field, and in 1992 he was recognized by St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital as a Distinguished Physician and was presented with an endowed chair in his name. In 1995, he was presented the Radiological Society of North America's highest honor, the Gold Medal, given for long and outstanding service and for his pioneering work in pediatric radiology. In addition, he has received the gold medal from the Texas Radiology Society, the American Roentgen Ray Society, The American College of Radiology and the Society of Pediatric Radiology.

Edward was blessed with two loving wives; his first wife Selwyn Rayzor Singleton with whom he had three children; Evelyn Winifred Singleton, Edward Newton Singleton and Dean Renfert Singleton. In 1967 he married the love of his life Margaret Ann Renfroe and had two children; Ann Field Singleton and Scott Renfroe Singleton. Edward was a man of the highest integrity and strongest moral character. He was a devoted husband and father, a dedicated teacher, a humble leader, an encouraging mentor and a loyal friend. He was known to all who loved him by his quick wit and fun loving sense of humor. He was an animated storyteller with a sharp memory that could recall even the smallest details from years gone by. He loved the Lord and would say that the one thing in this world that no one could ever take away from you was your faith so you must always hold tight to that faith. He loved to share his heart whether it was with his adoring family or with his students through his passion of teaching. His amazing life and stories will forever be in the memories of the many people that were so deeply touched by him.

He was an active member of River Oaks Country Club where he enjoyed many years of tennis; a passion for golf and Sunday family dinners. He was a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. One of his greatest joys in life was spending time at the family's ranch in Cat Spring, Texas. Weekends at the ranch found Edward doing all the things he loved… fishing, riding his tractor and bulldozer, feeding the cows, mowing the grass and cutting the huisache, riding his horse Mr. Ringo, picking the perfect peach off the tree, enjoying a swim on a hot summer day, relaxing by the fire with a martini on a cold winter night, playing board games with his family while making up his own rules as he went along and gazing at the stars in a vast Texas sky. The ranch held a special place in his heart and was a nice weekend escape from the city life that was home.

Edward is survived by his three children, Dean Singleton and his wife Peggy, Ann Singleton and Scott Singleton; his seven grandchildren - Hallie and her husband John, Cara and her husband Jimmy, John and his wife Corinne, Kit, Ella Scott, Reese and Tyler and five great grandchildren - Jack, Lucy, Wylder, Oliver and Milo; first cousin Judge John V. Singleton, jr. and his wife Pat; nephew Albert O. Singleton III and his wife Ann and their children and grandchildren; nieces Beth Cooperman and her husband Bob, Gail Welpley and her husband Mike and their children and grandchildren.

The family is blessed beyond measure for the life and legacy of Edward B. Singleton. His sweet spirit and kind soul will continue to shine brightly through all those who knew and loved him. We will miss him dearly but find comfort knowing he is at peace in his eternal home sweet home. We would like to express our sincerest thanks to all of the doctors, nurses and medical caregivers of St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital who lovingly cared for our dad over the past month.

Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Dr. Singleton during a reception from five o'clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening on Thursday, the 22nd of January, in grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 23rd of January, in the sanctuary of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road in Houston, where Rev. Bill Denham, Pastor of Caring Ministries and the Rev. Dr. Laurens A. Hall are to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held at the River Oaks Country Club.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in memory of Dr. Singleton may be directed to the Edward B. Singleton M.D. Chair of Pediatric Radiology at Texas Children’s Hospital, 1919 South Braeswood Blvd., Ste. 5214, Houston, TX, 77030, online at waystogive.texaschildrens.org/singleton; or to University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Development Office, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555.