Edward Lillo Crain

EDWARD LILLO CRAIN, JR., M.D., was born in Houston on July 9, 1917, to Annie Vive Carter Crain and E.L. Crain. Dr. Edward Lillo Crain, Jr. attended San Jacinto High School and graduated from The Hill School. He took his pre-medical training at Princeton University. After graduating from Princeton, he received his medical degree from the School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, as his great grandfather 100 years before him. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Roosevelt Hospital in New York. In 1943, he joined the U.S. Naval Reserve and was sent to the Pacific as a medical officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. Dr. Crain moved from active reserve to the battlefield working under fire to help as many wounded soldiers as possible, even though he was himself wounded. He was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, the Purple Heart as well as the Asia Pacific Medal and the Victory Medal, for courage under fire. Returning to Houston after the war, he opened his medical practice and shared office with his colleague Lynn Bernard and later Howard Wilson. Dr. Crain worked in private practice for 50 years and cared deeply for his patients and in turn was loved by all he cared for. Dr. Crain was active in teaching programs for students and faculty at Baylor College of Medicine and The Methodist Hospital. He was listed in The Best Doctors in the U.S. He was a member of the University of Texas Chancellors Council, Chairman of the Visiting Nurses Association, board member of the Heritage Society, Houston Arboretum, San Jacinto Monument Association, Neuhaus Education Center, Chairman of the Friends of the Texas Medical Center and Outstanding Clinical Faculty Member Department of Medicine Baylor in 1988. In addition, Dr. Crain donated the Crain Garden and Fountain in The Methodist Hospital in his late wife's and mother's memory. After his retirement from active practice Dr. Crain served with Aramco as attending physician for eight years. Following his retirement from Aramco and while in a wheelchair, Dr. Crain donated his services to San Jose Clinic. Dr Crain was preceded in death by his mother, Annie Vive Carter Crain; his father, E.L. Crain; his first wife, Betty Adams Crain; his brother, F. Carter Crain and two daughters, Marjorie Crain Parkerson and Joan Crain Nelson. He is survived by his wife, Fredricka Crain; his daughter, Elizabeth Crain Allred and husband, Fred Allred; daughter Annie Vive Crain Palm and husband, Tomas Palm; son, Danny Crain and wife, Kirsten Crain; son, Gene Crain; grandchildren: Katy Palm, Anna Palm, T.J. Palm, Adam Crain, Gene Crain, Jr., Hamilton Nelson, IV, Ramsey Allred, Kyle Allred, Eliza Parkerson, John Parkerson; and Fredricka Crain's daughters, Dianne Davis and Carolyn Davis Alexander and husband Hugh Alexander; and a special loving cousin, Hally Clements and her husband, Thurman Clements of Victoria, Texas. Although it is impossible to thank all the many friends and caregivers that Dr. Crain had, the family wishes to express their sincere regards to James A. Elkins, Jr., Dr. E.K. Sanders, David Estes, John Matsehke, Maria Flores and Janice Flores. Dr. Crain was especially proud of his children and grandchildren. He was an avid gardener and traveler and loved all things beautiful. He will be missed by everyone who knew or came in contact with him. Dr. Crain was one of the most genuinely compassionate men who ever graced this earth. The pallbearers will be Dr. Crain's grandsons. Friends may call between the hours of 9 and 5 on Monday, January 20th, 2003, at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive. A memorial service for Dr. Crain will be held at 11 o'clock in the morning on Tuesday, January 21st, 2003 at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer with Dr. James W. Moore officiating. Donations may be made to The Texas Medical Center Library, 1133 John Freeman, Houston, Texas, 77030 or The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, 4501 Woodway, Houston, Texas 77024, for a tree donation.