George Edward Thannisch, M.D.

Memorial services for George Edward Thannisch, M.D., 89, of Lufkin will be held Thursday, August 23, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Lufkin First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Jerome Brimmage and Reverend Laura Campbell officiating. A reception will follow in the Allen Parlor. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home.

George Edward Thannisch, M.D. was born July 22, 1929 on a ranch in Dickens County Texas near the town of Spur. He attended school in Mart, Texas and moved to Lexington, Texas where he graduated Valedictorian in 1946. He attended the University of Texas at Austin and graduated in 1950. He received his M.D. from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston in 1953. While attending medical school, he met Laura Delbaugh and they were married in 1952. They celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary last Christmas. After medical school, he enlisted in the US Navy in 1954 where he served as a medical doctor for 2 years.

In 1958 George and Laura moved to Lufkin where he established his pediatric medical practice. During his 40 year career, Dr. Thannisch served approximately 35,000 families throughout the East Texas area. Dr. Thannisch was very active in medical associations. He was a past president of the Texas Pediatric Society and delegate to both the American Medical Association and the Texas Medical Association.  He also served as Chief of Staff at Woodland Heights Medical Center and Memorial Hospital.

In addition to his professional career, George was very active in civic and philanthropic activities. He was very involved in the Noon Lions Club where he served as past president and long-time song leader. The Z&OO Railroad was his vision and he saw it to its completion on July 4, 1970. Since its opening, hundreds of thousands of East Texans have enjoyed riding the train and the proceeds from the operation of the train have supported many children’s causes over the years. George made cotton candy at the Angelina County Rodeo for about 50 years.

George and Laura took a great interest in supporting students in the area through Odyssey of the Mind and later in Destination Imagination.

George was a member of Lufkin Masonic Lodge #669 A.F. & A.M. and Houston’s Park Place Masonic Lodge #1172 A.F. & A.M.

Survivors include his wife, Laura D. Thannisch of Lufkin; daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Tim McLaughlin of Los Angeles CA, sons and daughters in law, Mark and Adrienne Thannisch of Austin and John and Kathy Thannisch, of Lufkin; grandchildren and spouses, Matthew and Lauren Thannisch of Austin, Wilson and Allison Thannisch of Austin, Paul and Erin Thannisch of Houston; Erin Byrne of Los Angeles, California, Amy and Jack Truett and Clark Thannisch, all of Houston; great-grandchildren, Luke, Barrett, Conrad and Rhett Thannisch; and numerous other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ina Mae Thannisch Perry and Ernest Calvin Thannisch and sister, Wanda Thannisch.

Honorary pallbearers will be Matthew Thannisch, Wilson Thannisch, Paul Thannisch, Clark Thannisch, and Jack Truett.

Memorial contributions may be made to The George Thannisch Z&OO Railroad Memorial Fund to be used for area children’s charities. Send donations to P.O. Box 1388, Lufkin, TX. 75902-1388.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.