Donald E. Texada

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Donald Edward Texada-adored husband, father and grandfather, devoted brother, and retired ophthalmologist-graduated to Heaven on Saturday December 7, 2024. In that moment, we are sure he was greeted with, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21).
Don was born on April 11, 1935, to Frank Neal Texada, Sr. and Mary Southerland Texada. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brothers Frank Neal Texada, Jr. and Thomas Richard Texada, Sr., and John Carey Texada. His adoring wife Bobbie Fuentes Texada, whom he equally adored, also preceded him to their Heavenly home. Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved daughters Angel Texada Taylor and Charmaine Texada; his sister, Lula Loraine Smith; his three grandchildren, Hobie Hotard (Greta), Elizabeth Hotard and Welsh Hotard; a new great grandson, Jack Hotard and beloved brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and devoted friends.
Don was a proud 1954 graduate of Bolton High School, where he was chosen as President of the Student Council, Big Chief Cumtux, and head cheerleader. He was selected by his Senior Class as their Most Popular Boy, Most Dependable Student, and Student with the Best Character. The faculty selected him as the recipient of the American League of Honor Award. Don carried these traits throughout his life as a leader, encourager, and man of utmost integrity. He also played tennis on the high school team and began a love for the game of tennis that he passed down through two generations. Later in life, he would be instrumental in seeing all three of his grandchildren play D 1 college tennis at LSU. He also attended LSU. He loved to share that his dorm was in the football stadium, and at night, they could hear Mike the Tiger roar. Later, he would have season tickets to LSU football and basketball and spend many wonderful times cheering on the Tigers with friends and family. Don graduated from Louisiana College, majoring in pre-med and went on to attend LSU medical school in New Orleans. It was there that he met a sassy nurse in a "starched white uniform." He married her. Bobbie was the absolute love of his life. They truly formed a personal admiration club, always supporting the other as his or her most ardent fan. They settled in Shreveport and he joined a private ophthalmology practice on Line Avenue. It was there that he practiced and expressed his deep passion for his field of medicine. He never forgot a patient's name or diagnosis. His intelligence was only matched by his compassion. He loved the practice of medicine because he loved helping and serving others.
Upon graduation from LSU Medical school, where he was a member of the AOA Honorary Medical Fraternity, Don remained in New Orleans and completed the Tulane Basic Science Course for Ophthalmology at Tulane Medical School. Following his residency, he was selected for the Heed Ophthalmic Fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology at Children's Hospital in Washington, D.C. It was there that he became a member of the Costenbader Club, as a select group of Pediatric Ophthalmologists who studied under Dr. Parks and Dr. Costenbader. He then completed a Heed Ophthalmic Fellowship in Glaucoma at Barnes Hospital, in St. Louis Missouri. Don completed a Postgraduate Study for Macula and Retinal Disease at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida. Later, he would complete a Postgraduate Study in Retinal Diseases at Cornell University Medical City under Dr. Harvey Lincoff, New York, New York.
Don's pursuit of excellence in the field of ophthalmology continued throughout his life. He was a Delegate to the Council for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, LSU Hospital Staff Past President, a member of the Royal Society of Medicine, Board Certified American Academy of Ophthalmology, Past President of the Louisiana Association of Ophthalmology, a charter member of the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology, a member of the Costenbader Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology, a member of the American Association of Intraocular Lens and Refractive Surgeons, a member of the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology, and Past President of the Shreveport Medical Society.
The list of academic and professional awards goes on. But perhaps the highest accomplishment that can be noted about this beloved doctor, friend, and father is that he not only walked with Jesus, but he modeled the characteristics of His Savior to everyone he met. He was a man who left people feeling like they were valued, appreciated, and important. He was everyone's favorite everything. From strangers to close family, he radiated kindness and joy to all he met. If he knew you, he wanted to meet any need he could sense that you may have. From financial to spiritual, he was ready to help. He cheered louder and prayed harder for anyone who was in his circle of influence. And he listened. Don was a good listener, which made him a wonderful physician, professor, friend, and even better husband and father.
The family would like to thank all who have loved on and prayed for them as they navigate this season. A friend so eloquently summed it up, "It's hard to lose your hero." And so it is.
A celebration of life honoring Donald Edward Texada, M.D, will be held at 1P.M. on Monday, December 16, 2024, at First Baptist Church Shreveport, with Dr. H. Edwin Yong officiating. Visitation will begin at 12pm in the parlor.
Honorary pallbearers include John Arnold Hotard, Jr., William Welsh Hotard, Thomas Richard Texada, Jr., Buddy Fuentes, John Mudd, Nolan Wilson, Marty Wilson, Dr. Seborn Woods, Dr. Dane Hassell, and Benjamin Koch.