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Joseph Clayton Gathe SR.
JOSEPH CLAYTON GATHE SR., M.D. was not only a
living historian but such an intricate part of Black History until African
American News & Issues finds it apropos to waive Fiesta’s Black History
24-7-365 under 1925 policy so that his outstanding contribution will be on
record to benefit future generations that will be edified by his Christian
walk and the Sept. 27, 2003 celebration of his long and productive life at
St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Church, 3006 Rosedale, with Fr. Borgia
Aubespin, S.V.D. officiating the Mass of Resurrection. Dr. Gathe’s active
pallbearers read like a Who’s Who Among Black Houston’s elite and/or a
glossary of African Americans in the Healthcare Industry.
Doctors: Brian Flowers, Abbeselom Ghermany, Elergy Leon Etter, Samuel Pegram,
John Clemmons, Edward Stool, Timothy Anderson and Herman J. Mabrie III, were
active pallbearers. Allen Broussard and Carl Mayberry. P. A. were also
pallbearers. Vincent Rachal, Roland Rousseve, Jr. and John Chase, were the
only non-doctors were among the honorary pallbearers, that included
physicians: Robert Bacon, Sr., B. T. Hollins, Michael Banfield, Edison
Bansfield, Cecil Harold, Lectoy Johnson and Edward A. R. Lord, Jr. Others
participating in the Mass of Christian Burial were: Frieda Malone, Gerard
Green. Joseph Clayton Jr., M.D. and one of Houston’s top Jazz Band that
played “When The Saints Go Marching In.”
That certainly was a fitting homegoing ceremony for Joseph, Jr., who was
born to Savannah Arceneaux Gathe and Noah Gathe on December 15, 1929 in
Scott, Louisiana. The family relocated to Houston where Joe attended St.
Nicholas Catholic School and was awarded his degree after the 11th grade at
the ripe old age of 15. He was accepted at Xavier University in New Orleans,
Louisiana and while attending Xavier he pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He
graduated from Xavier with a Bachelor of Science in 1949. He deserved to
attend a top-notch medical school but options were limited for black college
graduates. After some ((gentle" pushing by the Sisters of Xavier University,
he was accepted into St. Louis University's Medical School, as the first
African American to attend this medical university.
He often referred to himself at the university as a ((roach in a glass of
milk." He graduated with a Doctor of Medicine in 1953.After graduating
medical school, he met and married Carole Ann McMorris in 1954. From their
union four children were born: Joseph Clayton Gathe Jr., M.D., Jeffrey
Christopher Gathe, Joy Carole Gathe-Ghermay, M.D. and Julia Collette
Flowers, M.D. In 1955, Joe proudly joined the U.S. Air Force as a flight
surgeon and eventually served our country in the Korean War. He was
honorably discharged after achieving the rank of captain in 1956. He and
Carole moved back to St. Louis soon after to allow him to complete his
training. He completed his surgical residency at Homer G. Phillips Hospital
in 1961.
After that, he relocated for his final time to Houston, Texas. He lived his
entire life in Houston's Third Ward area. Joe met and established his
private medical practice with his partner, Edison Bansfield, M.D. From
there, in 1961, they practiced medicine from their own office building on
Blodgett Street for over 25 years. He became a surgeon on the staffs of St.
Elizabeth and Houston Negro Hospital, now known as Riverside Hospital, the
only hospitals in Houston that would allow African American physicians.
Several years later and after several unsuccessful attempts to join the
staff at St. Joseph's Hospital, he utilized legal avenues to eventually
become the first African American physician at St. Joseph's Hospital.
While at St. Joseph's he ascended to the position of Vice Chief of Staff of
the hospital. As a testimony to his continued struggle as an African
American physician in the late 60s, St. Joseph's Board broke a long-standing
tradition at the hospital of promoting the Vice Chief of Staff to the Chief
of Staff in the following year. He was prevented by the board from becoming
Chief of Staff - an action that was not forgotten by him for the rest of his
life. After retirement from pri-vate practice, he finished his career at St.
Joseph's as the Chief of Surgical Residency Program. Joe remarried later in
life and had his third daughter, Jillian Christina Gathe. As a young boy he
walked to Hermann Park and learned to be a caddy.
He was very proud of the money he made and he quickly taught himself the
game by watching others. Golf was a passion of his for over 50 years. He
traveled the country playing in tournaments and met his son, Jeff, in
different cities for an annual Father/Son outing. Joe was not only a
successful physician but he was an accomplished businessman and investor. He
was an active member of the Boule, the Houston Medical Forum, The National
Medical Association and the Bronze Eagles (a group of African American
Private Pilots). He also served for several years on the Texas State Board
of Education. His only brother, John Eugene Gathe, preceded him in death.
He leaves to cherish his mem-ory: nine grandchildren - Joseph Clayton III,
Joya Christina and Katana Simon-Jennings of Houston, Texas; Morgan and
Sydney Gathe of Naperville, Illinois; Christian and Savannah Ghermay of
PIano, Texas; Hayden and Chandler Flowers of South Lake, Texas;
great-grandchild -Lauryn Jennings, of Houston and one aunt, Rose Arceneaux
Broussard and many cousins.
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