John Thomas O'Shea

O'SHEA FORT WORTH, TEXAS - John Thomas Tom O'Shea, D.O., 73, passed from this life to the next on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011, after a courageous struggle with cardiopulmonary disease. Service: Private family services were held at an earlier date. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate that gifts me made to the Susan G. Komen Greater Fort Worth Affiliate, P.O. Box 101328, Fort Worth, Texas 76185; or The Oakridge School, 5900 West Pioneer Parkway, Arlington, Texas 76013. Tom was born April 28, 1938, in Detroit, Mich., to John Hubert and Rita Hill Sheedy. He was raised in nearby Garden City, along with his sister, Patricia Ann, and graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1957. Tom was a gifted student and star football player when he suffered a gunshot wound that would require the amputation of his leg just below the knee. This would prove to be the seminal event that would lead to his dedication to medicine and healing others. Never one to be deterred by setbacks, Tom became the first in his family to graduate from college, in 1961 from Eastern Michigan University. Inspired by osteopathic medicine's altruistic approach to treating the patient, he then attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and graduated in 1965. While completing his three-year residency in pathology at Garden City Hospital, he met his first wife, Nancy Marie O'Shea, the mother of his three children whom he wed in 1966. Upon completion of his residency in 1971, he accepted a position with Fort Worth Osteopathic Hospital and became a resident of Fort Worth for the rest of his life. He served at Fort Worth Osteopathic Hospital as the chief of pathology and director of clinical surgery until his retirement in 2004. While at the hospital Tom also served as chief of staff, a director of the board, and as a faculty member and professor at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. It was during this brilliant 33-year medical career that he served his calling to fulfill his Hippocratic oath and thereby helped in the healing of tens of thousands of people. Having been divorced for several years, he met his current wife, Debbie, in 1987. They fell deeply in love and were married in 1991 and were devoted to one another until the end. The family was very blessed by the addition of Debbie as she was not only a wonderful wife and family member, but proved to be an extraordinarily compassionate caregiver to Tom's parents who preceded him in death. She was there at every moment for Tom as his health began to decline and her love and dedication never wavered. The rest of the family will always be eternally grateful to her. Tom was a founding organizer of the Oakridge School in Arlington from which all three of his children graduated. He placed an enormous emphasis on education and all three of his children went on to graduate college with two receiving post graduate degrees. He enjoyed fishing and boating, was an avid reader, a huge sports enthusiast - particularly football, and loved his German Shepherd, Shadow. He leaves behind a tremendous legacy of perseverance and accomplishment and has touched the lives of many. While he is now at peace with the Lord, he will be dearly missed by those countless friends and family who love him. The family especially thanks our dearest friend, Bianca Pastore, and Roy Lowry for their unconditional love and support through the past 20-plus years, and many more friends too numerous to include. Survivors: Wife of 20 years, Debbie O'Shea; children, John Christopher O'Shea and wife, Kathleen, Erin Noelle O'Shea, Heather Marie Ford and husband, B.J.; sister, Patricia Ann Lary; loving niece, Jeannie Marie Eichenlaub and husband, David; grandchildren, Aidan Marie and John Patrick O'Shea, Annie and Jack Ford; Debbie's family, mother, Ruth Smith; and brothers, Nyal Smith and Jerry Smith. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com