Dr. Rogelio Mendoza
Dr. Rogelio “Tiny” Mendoza, 79, of Fannett, died Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Beaumont. He was born on October 5, 1939, in Manila, Philippines, to Mamerta Dungo and David Marcelino Mendoza.
Dr. Mendoza earned his medical degree from the University of the Philippines in 1965. Shortly after his graduation, with only $90 and two suitcases, he and his wife, Sionie, set out for America for his internship at Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For his residency years, they relocated to Misericordia Hospital in the Bronx, New York. He studied oncology and hematology at New York University, where he also taught, as he rose to the head of Pediatrics at Parkchester Hospital. The Mendozas grew to a family of five during their years in the Northeast. David was born in 1966, Rosanna followed in 1968, and Melissa in 1976.
Thanks to the suggestion and encouragement from friend, Dr. Edgardo Espiritu, the Mendozas uprooted their family to the small town of Fannett, Texas in 1979. They founded the Fannett Medical Center and completed their family with Celina, who was born in 1981. During the clinic’s construction, Dr. Mendoza worked in the Emergency Room at St. Mary’s Hospital in Port Arthur, and served as a physician for disabled students at Hughen High School, established by Bob Hope. In the years to follow, he also did rounds at Winnie Hospital, Christus St. Elizabeth, and Baptist Hospitals while leading his family practice.
He joined the Hamshire-Fannett Independent School District school board in 1984 and served as its president for ten years. As a trustee of the school board, he worked for the hiring of minorities as teachers to serve as role models for students, and he also helped establish the Minority Scholarship for college bound students at Lamar University. He was very active in multiple organizations such as the American Cancer Society of Texas, The Knights of Columbus, the Mid-County Mixed Bowling League, and the Philippine Association of Beaumont, Texas, to name a few.
He committed his life to the medical field and the service of others for thirty-seven years of practice in the Golden Triangle area.
Dr. Mendoza is survived by his wife, Asuncion Mendoza; son, David Mendoza and his wife, Edith, of Keller; daughters, Rosanna Bennett and her husband, David, of Houston; Melissa Mendoza of Austin; and Celina Brunette and her husband, Nicholas, of Friendswood; grandchildren, Zachary David Mendoza; Christian Geoffrey Bennett; Matthew Scott Cain; Daniel Peter Bennett; and Ena Grace Brunette; brothers and sisters, Dr. Edgardo Mendoza; Corazon Villanueva; Fernando Mendoza and his wife Tessie; Doroteo Mendoza and his wife, Lucy; Esperanza Prato; Gabriel Mendoza and his wife, Marites; Manuel Mendoza and his wife, Edna; and Leticia Owens and her husband, Jim.
He is preceded in death by his parents, David and Mamerta Mendoza; his grandson, Christopher Gabriel Mendoza Cain; siblings, Rosalina Lazaro and Ernesto Mendoza.
A gathering of Dr. Mendoza’s family and friends will on Friday, March 29, 2019, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with his Christian Vigil at 7:00 p.m., at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson Street, Beaumont, with his interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, #4 Bayou Brandt, Suite B, Beaumont, Texas 77706.
Video
Magnolia Cemetery
Magnolia Cemetery
- 2291 pine st beaumont tx 77703
Mass of Christian Burial
Mass of Christian Burial
- 700 jefferson beaumont tx 77701
- 03/30/2019
- 10:00 am
Christian Vigil
Christian Vigil
- 1605 n. major drive beaumont tx 77713
- 03/29/2019
- 7:00 pm
- 1605 n. major drive beaumont tx 77713
- 03/29/2019
- 4:44 am
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casandra francis
Thank you for your kindness and love you shown me and my family. You are truly missed. Rest now. Job well done. Casandra Francis & Bossette family.
Drs. Leonides Medrano and Manuel Hababag
Deepest Sympathy.
Evangeline “Jeannie” Villamil Celestine-Santos
I will miss you forever, Doc! You’re the only one who remembers my full name.
Charles n Boutte an family
Sorry for your loss praying for the family RIP DR gone but not forget
Bryant Tansil
David & Family, Our warmest and sincere wishes for a beautiful celebration for your Father. He gave so much to so many people. May he rest in heaven in peace. Sincerely, Bryant and Naoko
Tamara Pitman Davids
Doctor Mendoze I just love you and you will be missed.I was so sick as a child with my tonsils and you were so great.My mim had 6 kids and we kept you busy but all us kids loved to go see you.I will never forget that you had such a great way with kids.Then you were my sons doctor.So many generations of us will always remember you.RIP and know you left a great impression in all you met.God Bless your family and we are all praying for them.
Antonio P. Elefaño
Tiny! I've never met a prominent Doctor who is as humble as you and as funny as you and at the end of the day a great friend to all, rich or poor. I will miss your friendly demeanor and your sense of humor. Love you, man.
Rhonda Renfro
Love his smile his heart he was family to me and my family will miss him RIH LOVE YOU
Barbara Brown
You took care of most of my entire .family . Thank you for caring about your patience you will be missed
Kimberly Thomas
Sending our deepest Sympathy!! Dr. Mendoza was our family physician for over 25 years! I am the daughter of Betty Basha. He will be dearly missed by everyone!!
Leon & wilma Morrell
Many prayer to the Mendoza family dr mendoza za wasa very special dr & friend will be greatly missed
Leon & wilma Morrell
God bless the Mendoza family May god bless you all dr Mendoza will be greatly missed .
Linda and David Horn
We are eternally grateful for the kindness and care we received from Dr. Mendoza during our years in Beaumont. He was more than our doctor.....he was our beloved friend. Our hearts and prayers go out to his precious family during this season of loss. May memories sustain you until all of you are together again.
Resty and Griselda Baluyot
We feel that this world is much different now that you're gone. It has became more somber. I remember you as the tallest guy in our ROTC platoon 1957, UP Diliman. An esteemed colleague and my personal physician you will be sorely missed. Heartfelt condolences to Siony, the kids, and extended family.
ATO AND CECILLE LU
Dr Mendoza is such a. Loving person, always smiling and never failed to stop and talk every time he sees me to check how our family is doing... He will be greatly missed. Our condolences to th bereaved family. , May He Rest In Peace.
Leah Mendoza
You’re not only a doctor, but through the years of knowing you, I’ve lost a great friend, father figure, & a confidant. You will be greatly missed but I’m sure the good Lord has welcomed you with open arms for a job well done during your time here with us. Rest In Peace Dr. Mendoza..
Angela Downs Chesnutt
My thoughts and prayers are with Asuncion and the rest of the family. Dr. Mendoza was a good doctor, and he and Mrs. Mendoza were great friends, to my parents. My mom and dad were early patients at the clinic and remained patients until their deaths..
Brandon Jay Crowder
I remember being in about 6th or 7th grade when Dr. Mendoza walked into dad's café and auto supply business to introduce himself to dad. He was building his home across 365 from the café at the time. What a great man that served the community for many years. Always such a nice man and family. Godspeed Dr. Mendoza.
anna biano
sincerest condolence. i will always remember you as a wonderful doctor.
Asela Balingit
Such a great man,always kind and humble,,always there for everyone who needs help I am always Irma to you ,I will forever remember you Doc Idol ng lahat..My prayers to Ate Siony and family .Rest in Peace Dr. Mendoza
Clayton Harrell
A true Servant to his patients and family. He will be missed but his memories will be ever lasting. May God be always present during this time of sadness and loss.
Debbie Thomas
The community will miss Dr. Mendoza. I appreciated that there was not problem getting into his office with new patients, especially while we were foster parents, and the foster children need an initial checkup when they come into foster care. He also accepted our foster kids with the greatest care. I appreciate him and his family putting a clinic in our community of Fannett. Prayers and sympathy for his family.
Ofelia Mendoza
Condolence to the family of Kuya Rogie. He was a great man with a very big heart . You will be always be in our thoughts and prayers . Rest in peace. We all love you .
Ali and Eloisa Habibnia
Prayers and sincerest condolences to Ate Siony and the Mendoza Family. Dr. Mendoza will be missed by many, his patients, and especially the Filipino community. May the Lord shines his blessings to the family and his memories last forever. Rest in Peace Dr. Mendoza.. Ali & Eloisa Habibnia. .
ANN M ORBRO
Thank you Dr. And Mrs. Mendoza for 44 years of care, and friendship. May God bless and keep Dr. Mendoza’s soul in HIS SPECIAL LIGHT. Amen. Prayers for the family’s courage and strength during this time of mourning. God bless us all.
ANN M ORBRO
Thank you Dr. And Mrs. Mendoza for 44 years of care, and friendship. May God bless and keep Dr. Mendoza’s soul in HIS SPECIAL LIGHT. Amen. Prayers for the family’s courage and strength during this time of mourning. God bless us all.
Christina Gernale
Mendoza Family- I am so sorry for you loss.. May he Rest In Peace.
Linda C Simpson
My sincere condolences to Dr, Mendoza family and friends! I enjoyed working at MASH with him for years1 He was a good doctor and Great man. RIP my friend
Fred and Sheila Sachitano
Dr. Mendoza will be remembered for his commitment to education, medicine, his family and the Hamshire-Fannett community.
Larry LaRousse and mercy LaRousse
What a good and decent man ...He was our doctor and friend for a number of years,and was always humble, joking, and caring ...He leaves a legacy in our area, and will be missed..God bless the family. *
Victor Abello
I have good memories of Tiny during our pre-med and medical school days. He is a bright student and a great guy..He is fun to be with, always in good humour. Laughter abounds when he is around. Our deep condolences to Siony and family. Requiescat in pace. Vic and Elenette
Sta.Ana family
We would like to express our sincere condolences to Mendoza family.
Leola Barker
Dr. Mendoza was the kindest and most attentive doctor that I have ever known. When my husband was terminally ill in 2004, and placed in hospice care at home, Dr. Mendoza came by several times to visit him and lift his spirits with his quick wit. May he rest in peace. His is a job well done. May God bless and comfort his wife and other members of his family. He will truly be missed.. He was truly one of a kind!!
Tina McCormick Rosas
My sincerest condolences to Dr. Mendoza’s family and friends. My heart is broken! He was our family doctor and friend. He treated my grandparents, my mom and myself. The Allders and McCormicks. Such a good man and doctor! RIP Dr. Mendoza!
Erin Vader
All my love and prayers, Mendoza family!
Jerry Taucer
Rest in peace Dr Mendoza. You were my first family doctor and I considered you my friend. Condolences to the family.
BERTHA wycoff
My prayers are with the family myself and daughters Roxanne, Avis, and Gladys Minix were his patients and friends of the family Dr.Mendoza will always be in our hearts
Norma Miranda
Rest In Peace Doc I could not thank you enough for taking care of me and my family . You are kind and generous you made us feel at home at that time we lost our home to Hurricane Katrina Your accomplishments and achievements are the inspiration not only to our family but to our community as well Your are one of a kind Your Legacy Lives. Condolence to the family.
Jeremy A Graham
From the Graham family Dr.Mendoza you truly will be missed from you saved me twice I trusted no one but you you talk to with that calm voice and said I'll be with you all the way trust me . And I have from 1984 to 2016 may God bless you family I love ya'll always and I'll neve forget the helicopter ride that was our inside joke .Love Doc gone .miss u
Kim Pratt
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. Love you Mrs Mendoza. He was a very special man. Loved talking and visiting with him and you. Most of the time it was about work and the rest was about life lessons and the advice he gave was awesome. He will be missed. Love always. Kim
Donna Paulson
Dr. Mendoza was our family doctor for years when I lived in Texas. We loved him. Rest in peace.
Bert and Sonia Elefanoe
He will long be remembered for his humor, warmth and love of family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Rsy Peregtino
Heaven gained another angel. A beautiful person has been called home! Until we meet again! ..... Godspeed! From the Peregrino’s
Dolores Cantu
We want to express our sympathy and let you know that our thoughts are with you, words cannot even begin to express our sorrow, Dr. Mendoza I will see you soon when my time came, from now till then you in our hearts, Dolores, Lolita and Victor.
Quirantes
Dear Sionie, David, Rosanna, Melissa, Celina & families, The shocking news of the passing away of our dear friend "Tiny" brought sadness to every member of our family. He was a person with unfailing kindness, delightful humor, and high integrity of character. We admire him for being an ever "jolly fellow", so compassionate and sensitive to the needs of everyone and a pioneer in attaining cultural & professional recognition for the Filipino community. We have so many fond memories...including of course our bowling league where he served as president for many years. We blossomed into a big family with weekly camaraderie and his unforgettably funny jokes that were sometimes "hard to understand," which then led to his funny special interpretations. Our annual local & Vegas bowling tournaments and our pilgrimage tours to the Holy Land and Europe will remain great memories. And, we were privileged to have attended the inauguration of the Fannett Medical Clinic & witness its remarkable success with his leadership. Words cannot express how much we will miss him. Sending our affectionate, sincere and heartfelt sympathy to the whole family. Our dear Tiny, "thanks for the memories" and all you have done for us...in the medical community, as helping hands to our children, and for making us laugh!!! We love you, Vladie & Rose/Charito Quirante and Maria, Chris, Fred & Elizabeth
Noel/Melody Altares
Luke 23::43 And he said to him, “Truly,, I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” May your soul Rest In Peace Doctor Mendoza ❤️ Noel/Melody
Belen Espiritu & Family
Tiny will always be fondly remembered! May the grace of God be with you and your family at this difficult time. Please know that you have our deepest sympathy.
Willow Bernard
I'm very sadden to hear of Dr. Mendoza's passing. He provided heathcare for my children and me for over forty years. My sincerest condolences is extended to Mrs. Mendoza, the Mendoza Family and the clinic staff.
Billy and Emy Kolander
Mrs. Mendoza and families, You all are in our prayers. Peace be with you.
Mike, Lourdes Caeg and Family
It was a day full of of sorrow when we heard the passing of our dear friend and kumpadre Roger ‘ Tiny’. Our sincere sympathy and condolences to Sionie and family. Eternal rest grant to our friend, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him.. Dear friend, Rest in Peace
Cielomarie & Pierre Mendoza
We will miss you, Tito Rogie. Thank you and Tita Sionee for helping my dad and mom with realizing their dreams of coming to the US to practice and raise a family. We are forever grateful. You were such a happy and caring person. Thank you for always making time to visit with family and making us smile and for being our Ninong at our wedding. We send our love for your journey across the river. Rest easy. XOXO We love you, Pierre & Cielomarie Mendoza with our families
Lutz and Joe Alsup
As our family Doctor for the last 30 years, you had treated us liked a family and to our 3 adopted children. You are always joking around while you are treating them as our Physician, they loved you for that. You also a great mentor, and the great founder of the Philippine Association of Beaumont, Texas (PABT) and a great bowler (everyone called you TINY). May you rest in peace and you are always had a good heart that you gave to all your patient. As a great Doctor, you always be missed but not forgotten. Love you always! (Lutz, Joe, Jennifer, Christopher, Ashley, Joanna, Jennifer)
Letonjia Grant
This really saddens me , because you have taken care of 5 generations of my family. I know to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord! Take your rest Doc! We will never forget you and there will never be another like you ?? My thoughts and prayers are with the Mendoza family!
Vern and Julia Mueller
Greatest sympathy. Dr.Medoza has been my doctor ever since he opened the medical clinic in Fannett. He has been a true blessing for our family and this community. He has also been a true friend and been there for us on numerous occasions. He will be greatfully missed.
Carolene (Carolyn) Graham,
Dr. Mendoza has been in my family's life every since he diagnosed our 7yr old son Jeremy with Luekemia.. He had him flown to Texas Children's Hospital by helicopter. Dr. Mendoza kept up with everything they did for him. They kept him informed and when we came home for awhile our appointment was to go to Dr. Mendoza. We had to do eight yrs. of treatments. Jeremy is now 41. In 2016 he had another illness and we went straight to Dr. and Sionie. They made arrangements and sent us to MD Anderson. Today, Thank God, he is Cancer Free! Dr Mendoza was an excellent Dr., A Great Carrying Man, and you couldn't find a better friend.! You know, if we had more people inThis world like Dr. Mendoza, what A wonderful world this would be! Rest in peace Dr. Mendoza, We love you, We thank you and You too Sionie . Pray God will give you and family strength.! We know He Will ! Jeremy, Carolene( Carolyn), Nehemiah & Marcus Graham
Paul and Denise Broussard
Doc (Roger) has been a wonderful doctor and dear friend, to our family. He was a beautiful man with such great spirit of generosity, compassion and kindness! We will treasure our memories with him. May the angels and saints welcome him home. May God, in His gentle mercy bring healing and comfort to Sionie and family.
Carl B. and Aurora Montano
Like everyone who knew him in his many capacities in life, Carl and I, and our children and family, are saddened by Dr. Rogelio Mendoza’s passing. Amidst the loss we feel, we would like to pause in gratitude to God for the life that is Roger Mendoza, and the blessings we received in having crossed paths with him and his wife, Sionie. We met as young couples with young children in Beaumont in 1982, and started a friendship of a lifetime. Our shared common bonds in helping contribute to better communities saw us through meaningful community volunteer activism over the years. Roger and Sionie, together, and among many positive traits, are a perfect blend of kindness, empathy, and down-to-earth humor and generosity. Of the many wonderful memories we shall continue to treasure of him, these particularly stand out because they comprise marker events in our lives. Besides having been our early family physician, he was also our youngest son, Karlo’s pediatrician, one whom a mother could share a discomforting sentiment (“Biro mo, ginawang puti ang anak ko” when our son’s ethnicity was marked by the hospital white instead of Asian) and be met with a somewhat amused but re-assuring response (“Hindi naman masama ang puti.”) When our oldest son, Anton, was about to start his law studies at Cornell, the school needed immunization records which could only be obtained from his pediatrician in the Phiippines. When approached about the matter, Roger saw to it that the University got what it needed. When my younger sister who was visiting from the Philippines underwent unexpected surgery and needed outpatient follow-up care, it was to Roger and Sionie that we turned. At a most painful time in our family when my father passed in 2017, and his wake and the Christian service in celebration of his life held some distance outside our home in the Golden Triangle, Roger and Sionie, took time away from their busy lives to drive the many miles to condole with us in person in our time of grief. Carl and I, and our children and family, shall forever be in gratitude to God for the gifts of memory, of times and friendship with Dr. Rogelio Mendoza, one genuine human being who touched many lives in diverse positive ways, as he did our own. Aurora G. Pal-Montaño Beaumont, Texas
Arlene Trahan
Mrs M. I’m sorry sorry to read on Facebook about your husband. I’ll never forget our flight from St. Louis to Houston. It was so wonderful visiting with you and reconnecting. Who would have ever guess we’d meet that way. I so enjoyed our visit at your beautiful home. Love and prayers. Arlene Trahan
I am Gregory Hall, classmate of David Mendoza at Hampshire Fannett High School, and while playing football got to know Dr. Mendoza.
Hope you and all you love are fine and well David Mendoza, and although belated, offer my sincere condolences at the loss of your father
The video brought back such memories from another time, that none of us will ever forget.
I’m so sorry to hear that Dr. Mendoza had passed away. He was an awesome Dr to my kids. I truly hate that I missed his funeral. My prayers and condolences are to the family ????????
I was sad to see that Dr Mendoza had passed away. My condolences to the family. I worked with him at St Mary’s Hospital 1976-1979 in the ER as a LVN. The reason I was looking him up was I was writing about people who influence me in my life for my grandchildren. He was such a positive influence on me as a 21 yr old. Then we became friends later on.
For years I have wanted to stop in at the clinic on Hwy. 124 to visit. Not knowing he had passed away I stopped today, April 6. 2022. I then found out that he was gone. He saved my life in the late 1970’s when I was sick and spent two months at Baptist Hospital. He met me there and discovered that I had Hepatitis from some undercooked seafood I had eaten. He was a good and kind man. Until we meet again!