Elvin Carlyle Gaines M.D.

1934 - 2010

Elvin Gaines, M.D. of Simi Valley passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010 at home with his beloved wife and family at his side.

Dr. Gaines was born on Oct. 4, 1934 in Fort Collins, Colo., to Everett and Cecile Gaines. Upon completion of high school and college he entered into his career of medicine. He graduated in June 1961 at Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He married the love of his life, best friend and soul mate, Geraldine, on Sept. 24,1961 and she sang to him on that day, "Whither Thou Goest I Will Go." She truly fulfilled that promise throughout their 49 years of marriage, going with him to Africa, Guam, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands to work in bush hospitals.

Dr. Gaines was a wonderful man with a great sense of humor. He had a smile that could open up any room. He was a caring and giving man, always willing to help those he touched. He loved to tell happy stories and was known for his caring ways, his wink and deep laughter. Dr. Gaines was involved in building up a wonderful medical practice and involved in the growth of Simi Valley Hospital. He was a staff member of SV Hospital since 1965 and served on multiple committees. He served on the board of directors of SV Hospital and was the senior partner of Simi Valley Family Practice/ Family Health Care Medical Group.

He provided free medical care to welfare patients in Simi Valley for 30 years and he was involved in giving medical care to Simi patients at the Free Clinic. Dr. Gaines provided free rent to the Simi Valley Crisis Pregnancy Center for several years. During his practice he delivered over 3,900 babies and has been known to treat three to four generations in this small community.

Dr. Gaines has also served on the Ventura County Medical Society Board of Directors as well as serving on the board of directors of the Simi Valley Community Hospital. He was a life member of the Flying Samaritans and Liga International, flying into clinics in Baja, Mexico to provide free medical care to the extremely poor. He was instrumental in getting a small baby boy being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect into the states for surgical repair that saved this boys life.

Dr. Gaines was on the Board of the Rancho Simi Valley Parks and Recreation, a Founder and on the Board of Directors of Simi Valley Bank with a group of exceptional friends, a member and past President of the Loma Linda Councillors, a patron of Simi Valley Community Concerts, and a donor to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and the Cultural Arts Center of Simi Valley. Since 1964 he has been a member of Simi Valley noon time Rotary and especially enjoyed that relationship with wonderful people.

Dr. Gaines was preceded in death by infant son, Gregory Paul in 1971, and his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Geri; daughters, Geralyn and Daina; sons, Darin, and Geoffrey; their spouses and five precious grandchildren; and his sisters, Joyce and Carol and their spouses and children.

A visitation will be held from 1 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13 at Reardon Simi Valley Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14 at Simi Valley Seventh Day Adventist Church 1636 Sinaloa Road, Simi Valley, CA 93065.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be donated in his honor to the free Clinic of Simi Valley or the Angeles Clinic and Research Institute at 11818 Wilshire Blvd Ste. 200, Los Angeles 90025, attn: Dr. Steven O'Day, director of the melanoma clinic that has treated Dr. Gaines over the years.