John S. Vardiman, M.D.
October 13, 1934 ~ February 19, 2023
John Sanders Vardiman, M.D., passed from this earth Sunday February 19, 2023, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born on October 13, 1934, in Killeen, Texas to Scotty Marie Arnold and Boyce Taylor Vardiman. He attended Killeen High School graduating in 1953, and went on to Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas where he majored in chemistry finishing with the class of 1957. Having been accepted to Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, John deferred his enrollment for two years and joined the United States Army. He served in the Chemical Corps, some of that time stationed in Panama, enjoying scuba diving, fishing, and the ocean. He returned to Dallas following his military service and graduated with the class of 1963 from Southwestern. His accomplishments in Dallas included his marriage to Bradna Marie Barber who would remain his wife for 61 years. He completed a year long rotating internship at John Peter Smith hospital in Fort Worth, Texas prior to additional year of training in general surgery in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1965, John began his general medical practice in Beaumont, Texas joining the established practice of Dr Herb Hennington. He enjoyed his time in Beaumont but had always had a desire to be a “country doctor” and in 1970 moved to Rosebud, Texas and later Cameron, Texas where he enjoyed practicing the full spectrum of medicine from pediatrics to orthopedics. In 1975, John was invited to return to Beaumont following the tragic death of Dr. Jim Old. John returned with Dr Hennington and the “Physicians and Surgeons Center” and practiced in Beaumont until his retirement in 2013. John’s last 12 years of practice were with Southeast Texas Medical Associates (SETMA). Dr. James Holly was instrumental in allowing my Father a special grace in finishing his medical career. Medicine changed greatly in his fifty years of practice and SETMA treated John with extraordinary respect and care. John’s medical practice as a board-certified family physician spanned fifty years and touched thousands of lives. He had a plain-speaking manner and genuine care, concern and interest for those under his watch. His authenticity was obvious to his patients and his colleagues.
John’s career as a physician was an accomplishment in itself but his life was not bounded solely by his professional endeavors. John was a lifetime builder. His older brother, Boyce and he, started as children, building whatever they could imagine out of anything they could get their hands on. Model planes, mock ups of airplane cockpits complete with carburetors as bomb sights, small boats-you name it. John remodeled two houses completely, built a duplex from the ground up and built multiple elaborate workshops. Over time he became a master carpenter and put those talents to work constructing a sailing schooner over a period of twenty-three years. After completing the schooner, he captained the boat in several Harvest Moon Regatta’s.
John’s interest included aviation and he began flying lessons while in Dallas. He was an accomplished pilot and enjoyed flying a wide variety of airplanes. His aviation pursuits could hardly be called casual, and he was meticulous in his training and his maintenance of his aircraft.
John Vardiman led an extraordinary life of remarkable vigor and breadth of experience. He was many things to many people, and particularly to his son a master teacher and extraordinarily patient father.
John is predeceased by his brother, Boyce Arnold Vardiman; mother, Scotty Marie Vardiman; father, Boyce Taylor Vardiman; and grandson, Benjamin Arthur Billinglsley. He is survived by his wife, Bradna Marie Vardiman; daughter, Rose Marie Billingsley; son, Arnold Bradley Vardiman M.D.; sister, Scottie Isham; and nieces, Harriett Vardiman-Smith and Rebecca Vardiman.
The family will gather at his place of rest for a private ceremony at the Barber Family Cemetery in Hughes Springs, Texas.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to:
Doctors Without Borders USA, P.O Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 2174, or https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/secure/donate .
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I first met Dr. Vardiman when I was born…. he delivered me. I saw him as a patient later in life and always appreciated his practical no nonsense care and concern for both me and my family. He took time to know his patients and his concern was not just because he was a doctor, but because he was a great human being. He was a great story teller too! Last week my Mom and I were actually visiting about him and how much we loved having him as a Doctor. I looked him up and saw he had passed away only 3 days earlier. I am sorry for your family's loss and pray you are all comforted with sweet memories of your husband, dad, brother, uncle and friend.
I am saddest to learn of the passing of Dr. John. I would like to extend my condolences to Mrs. Bradna and the family.
I had the opportunity to work for, and with John when I was in high school. My mother worked at his practice Physicians and Surgeons Center as an X Ray tech, and in physical therapy. He was also our family doctor. He asked my mother one day if I was working anywhere, and if not, to come see him and he would put me to work. I was 16, it was my first job, and work we did!! I did projects ranging from mowing his yard, to brush hogging the pastures. I helped him paint the swimming pool, and re roof the house. We made numerous trips to Newton, Tx to retrieve huge white oak logs that was to become the lumber for his sail boat. I even dug a 3’x3’x30′ pit in the back pasture to brine the keel.
Through all these projects I gained knowledge, work ethic and respect for the kind of man John was. I am thankful for the time I got to spend with him working and learning.