Individual Details
Dr. Roy Van Varner
(9 Jan 1936 - 7 Dec 2004)
Roy Van was the oldest child of Dr. John W. Varner and Billie Jordan Varner. He got his undergraduate degree at Duke University and his medical degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He went on to serve as a Captain in the US Army Medical Corps. Roy Varner served in the 43rd M.A.S.H. unit at Camp Mosier near Seoul, Korea. It was there that he met his future wife Doris, a Captain in the US Army Nurse Corps.
After serving in the military, Roy completed a residency in psychiatry at John Umstead hospital in Butner, NC where his father also worked. He next completed a clinical fellowship in geriatric psychiatry at Duke.
In 1973 he became Chief of Geriatric Services at the Texas Research Institute of Mental Sciences. He also served as Medical Director of Houston International Hospital from 1978-1986, Clinical Director of Psychiatry Services & Chief of General Adult Services at Hermann Hospital and Medical Director and Chief of Adult Services at the University of Texas Mental Sciences Institute. In 1992, Roy Varner was appointed Medical Director of UT Harris County Psychiatric Center (HCPC), a position he held until his retirement in August, 2004. His academic appointments include Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Medical School, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Health Science Center of Houston.
Roy fought a valiant battle with cancer and was an inspiration to all.
His family will remember him for his gentle sense of humor, his love of life, and his loyalty and support. He is survived by his devoted wife Doris, children Deborah, Roy, and Michael, and two beloved grandchildren, Grant and Danielle.
After serving in the military, Roy completed a residency in psychiatry at John Umstead hospital in Butner, NC where his father also worked. He next completed a clinical fellowship in geriatric psychiatry at Duke.
In 1973 he became Chief of Geriatric Services at the Texas Research Institute of Mental Sciences. He also served as Medical Director of Houston International Hospital from 1978-1986, Clinical Director of Psychiatry Services & Chief of General Adult Services at Hermann Hospital and Medical Director and Chief of Adult Services at the University of Texas Mental Sciences Institute. In 1992, Roy Varner was appointed Medical Director of UT Harris County Psychiatric Center (HCPC), a position he held until his retirement in August, 2004. His academic appointments include Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Medical School, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Health Science Center of Houston.
Roy fought a valiant battle with cancer and was an inspiration to all.
His family will remember him for his gentle sense of humor, his love of life, and his loyalty and support. He is survived by his devoted wife Doris, children Deborah, Roy, and Michael, and two beloved grandchildren, Grant and Danielle.
Events
| Birth | 9 Jan 1936 | Kingstree, Williamsburg County, SC | |||
| Death | 7 Dec 2004 | Houston, Harris County, TX | |||
| Burial | San Antonio National Cemetery, Bexar County, TX |
Families
| Spouse | Doris ( - ) |
| Father | Dr. John Wesley Varner (1906 - 1992) |
| Mother | Willie Lee "Billie" Jordan (1910 - 2002) |
| Sibling | John Wesley Varner Jr. ( - ) |
| Sibling | Virginia Varner ( - ) |