A Special Tribute for Dr. Francisco C. Tejada, Jr.
Support a cause that's close to my heart
Dr. Francisco C. Tejada, Jr.
Francisco Tejada Jr, (aka Frank, Paquito, Junior), passed away peacefully on at Barnes-Jewish Hospital at the age of 96 surrounded by his wife of 68 years, Victorina “Betty” Tejada, his children and grandchildren.
Frank was born in the Philippines. He attended the University of Santo Tomas School of Medicine graduating in 1956 and immigrated to the United States soon thereafter. After completing his medical training in Chicago and Mt. Vernon, Illlinois, Frank and Betty moved to Collinsville, IL where he established his medical practice of 40 years, retiring in 1995.
Frank and Betty met at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, then married at Chicago's Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica. Post retirement, each weekend the Tejadas would dance to their heart’s content at various ballrooms in the area – making new friends and enjoying the partnership they both had. The highlight of their dancing “career” was a featured performance at the Independence Center's annual “Dancing with the St. Louis Stars” benefit in 2011, at the age of 80-years-young.
He is survived by his wife, Betty and their 6 children: Alice (Diane Smith), Richard (Rita Buenaventura), Caroline Peltes (Terry), Bob (Cindy Medina), Betsy Thomas (Tony) and Raul (DJ Harris); 10 grandchildren Jared (Jennifer Tucker), Tyler (Krista Catanzaro), Rachel (Leigh McLaughlin), Blake (Erin McGinnis), Maya Carothers (Ethan), Reyn (Franci Abarca), Eric (Amy Kuehn), Sydney (Aric Crehan), Emma and Mary Rose; 4 great grandchildren – Isla, Indy, Levi and Xavier.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the National Kidney Foundation in Frank’s memory. As a kidney transplant recipient and, grateful 26-year transplant survivor, Frank knew firsthand the precious gift of life and the profound impact of organ donation.
Your generosity will fund the fight to:
Every gift, no matter how small, is meaningful to me and will ensure that their legacy can live on in this important work. I would be so grateful for your support to help fight kidney disease.
Thank you.
Frank was born in the Philippines. He attended the University of Santo Tomas School of Medicine graduating in 1956 and immigrated to the United States soon thereafter. After completing his medical training in Chicago and Mt. Vernon, Illlinois, Frank and Betty moved to Collinsville, IL where he established his medical practice of 40 years, retiring in 1995.
Frank and Betty met at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, then married at Chicago's Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica. Post retirement, each weekend the Tejadas would dance to their heart’s content at various ballrooms in the area – making new friends and enjoying the partnership they both had. The highlight of their dancing “career” was a featured performance at the Independence Center's annual “Dancing with the St. Louis Stars” benefit in 2011, at the age of 80-years-young.
He is survived by his wife, Betty and their 6 children: Alice (Diane Smith), Richard (Rita Buenaventura), Caroline Peltes (Terry), Bob (Cindy Medina), Betsy Thomas (Tony) and Raul (DJ Harris); 10 grandchildren Jared (Jennifer Tucker), Tyler (Krista Catanzaro), Rachel (Leigh McLaughlin), Blake (Erin McGinnis), Maya Carothers (Ethan), Reyn (Franci Abarca), Eric (Amy Kuehn), Sydney (Aric Crehan), Emma and Mary Rose; 4 great grandchildren – Isla, Indy, Levi and Xavier.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the National Kidney Foundation in Frank’s memory. As a kidney transplant recipient and, grateful 26-year transplant survivor, Frank knew firsthand the precious gift of life and the profound impact of organ donation.
Your generosity will fund the fight to:
- Expand access to home dialysis and kidney transplants for all Americans
- Increase funding for kidney disease research
- Identify and eliminate kidney health disparities
Every gift, no matter how small, is meaningful to me and will ensure that their legacy can live on in this important work. I would be so grateful for your support to help fight kidney disease.
Thank you.
Comments