LEMMON, MD, Mark L. Pioneering plastic surgeon Mark L. Lemmon, MD died on July 13, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. He was 94. Mark was born Jan. 3, 1924, in Dallas, the son of Mark Lemmon and Maybelle Reynolds Lemmon. He graduated from Highland Park High School in 1941 and continued his education at the University of Texas at Austin. In 1943, he was drafted into the US Navy and served in World War II and the Korean War as a pre-med student, ejection seat instructor, and flight medical surgeon lieutenant until 1953 while pursuing his medical training. He graduated in 1948 from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas with his degree in Medicine. In 1956 he re-enrolled at UT Austin to finish his degree.During this time, he held an internship in Philadelphia, a fellowship at the Mayo Foundation in Minnesota, and Queen Victoria Hospital in England until 1958. That year Mark returned to Dallas and established his private practice in Plastic Surgery. He quickly established himself as one of the city’s top doctors and a leader in his field. He held the position of Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and served as President of the Texas Society of Plastic Surgery and Chief of Staff at Gaston Episcopal Hospital. He was awarded the Tiffany Award, for “Significant Scientific Contribution” by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in 1978. He wrote several textbooks and numerous journal publications on Rhytidectomy and the SMAS Procedure from 1954-1984. During his career as a plastic surgeon he became known as a pioneer of the modern facelift procedure. He held many positions in professional organizations, associations and educational committees, as well as memberships in numerous clubs throughout his illustrious career. He retired from private practice in 1991. In 1990 he married the love of his life, Barbara Thomas Lemmon. Together, they focused on building their wine business, San Saba Vineyards in Soledad, CA, founded by Dr. Lemmon in 1975. Now sold worldwide as Wrath under the leadership of Michael Thomas, who has taken over the love of wine making from his stepfather. Mark and Barbara shared many wonderful years traveling the world and spending time with family. Mark enjoyed an active lifestyle from golf and tennis to big game hunting in Africa and Alaska. His adventures included salmon fishing in Canada, pheasant shooting in England and Scotland, and shooting white-winged doves in Mexico and South America. Whether dancing in the kitchen or on the ballroom floor, his life was filled with love and laughter with his wife by his side. His motto was “everything in moderation” and he enjoyed indulging in the finer things. dark chocolate, good wine and the good food prepared with love by Juana, Elena and Kaitis’ granddaughter. Mark was a remarkable man and a true gentleman who will be greatly missed by all who knew him. A prolific philanthropist, he supported medical research, the arts and education. He was predeceased by his brother, George Reynolds Lemmon and younger son, William Lucas Lemmon. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Thomas Lemmon, oldest son, Mark Overton Lemmon, granddaughter, Katie Lynn Lemmon, stepson, Michael L. Thomas, daughter-in-law, Estelle Thomas, step-grandsons, Maximilian and Balthazar Thomas, former wife, Nancy Overton Lemmon, niece, Nancy Overton Benzmiller and nephew, Tommy Overton. The family would like to thank the many people who lovingly cared for Mark over the years, including Kofi A. Ohene-Adomako, St. Augustine Jackson, Renee Shaw, Juana Cruz, Ofelia Araksoussi, Eduardo Peña, Silvia Cruz, Gaby Contreras, his Special Assistant, Jerry Garcia, and his Director of Personal Property, Wendy Carlisle. Finally, they would like to express their sincere gratitude to the exemplary physicians and staff at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital. of UT Southwestern Medical Center. Services for Mark L. Lemmon will be held at Highland Park Presbyterian Church on July 18, 2018 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute. of UT Southwestern School of Medicine.
Published by the Dallas Morning News from July 15 to July 17, 2018.
