Dr. Cesar A. Morales

Dr. Cesar A. Morales-Velasquez, an 81 year old Laredo resident, passed away on August 19, 2010 at 9:15 AM in San Antonio, TX shortly after being transferred from the Laredo Medical Center (Laredo, TX) to University Hospital (San Antonio, TX). His final days were spent by his daughter’s, Tina Morales, side. Dr. Morales was born on July 6, 1929 in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico to Roberto & Ernestina (Velasquez) Morales. Dr. Morales was the eldest of 3 children – Alicia Morales and Homero Morales. He spent most of his childhood in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. Dr. Morales attended la Secundaria y Preparatoria No. 1 in Nuevo Laredo and received a scholarship from the Secretaria de Educacion Publica in the Distrito Federal for obtaining the highest grades in his graduating class of 1946. Following graduation, at the early age of 16, Dr. Morales left his home to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Biology hundreds of miles away from his impoverished family. Despite the lack of funds for food, travel and academic expenses, Dr. Morales persevered and graduated from medical school (UNAM) as an anesthesiologist. Without knowledge of the English language, Dr. Morales moved to New York to complete his medical residency and internship on a full-paid scholarship. He worked under the supervision of Columbia University faculty in St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital and quickly rose to the position of Chief Anesthesiologist. In addition to St. Luke’s Roosevelt, Dr. Morales also worked at the following hospitals: Our Lady of Victory Hospital (Buffalo, NY), Resident Flower & Fifth Avenue Hospital; Methodist Hospital (Brooklyn, NY). While in New York City, Dr. Morales met his first wife, Inta Marissa Janitens of Riga, Latvia.Unable to find a job in his home country of Mexico, Dr. Morales returned to the U.S. and found a stable job in Laredo, TX at Mercy Hospital. After years of struggle and hard-work, Dr. Morales ultimately fulfilled his interpretation of the American dream. Dr. Morales will be greatly missed by his daughter Tina Morales; 3 surviving sons, Cesar Morales, Eduardo Morales, and Carlos Morales.Dr. Morales is preceded in death by his 2 sons, Daniel Morales and Guillermo Morales; ex-wife, Inta Marissa Janitens; 2 siblings, Alicia Morales, Homero Morales; and parents, Roberto & Ernestina Morales. A special thanks to Dr. Joaquin G. Cigarroa for caring for Dr. Morales during his hospitalization at the Laredo Medical Center from Sun., 8/29/10 thru Thurs., 9/16/10 and Dr. Dennis D. Cantu for facilitating Dr. Morales’ renal transplant in 1997.Condolences may be sent to P.O. Box 440823, Laredo, TX 78043. Family members will be receiving friends and family at Fred Dickey Funeral and Cremation Services on Saturday, September 25, 2010 from 8:00 am to10:00am. A Chapel Service will commence at 10:00am. Interment will follow immediately at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.Funeral service arrangements have been entrusted to the funeral directors of Fred Dickey Funeral and Cremation Services, an exclusive member of Veterans & Family Memorial Care, 4502 Thomas Ave. Laredo, TX 78041 (956) 723-3611.