Dr. Peter Louis M.D.'s Obituary
Dr. Peter Louis, a beloved physician, dedicated community leader, and cherished family man, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2025, at the age of 88.
Dr. Louis was born in Loreauville, Louisiana in 1936 to the late Mr. Levy Louis and Mrs. Martha Bastian Louis. He was the seventh of eight children each of whom was born in their small, rural home built by their father, Levy. His parents spoke French Creole in the home as the primary language until the children brought English home from school. His elder brothers and sisters had limited educational opportunities due to there being no local high school for Black children. His mother, Martha, wanted more for her younger children and banded together with other Black parents in their small parish to pay for a bus to take the children to the nearest school that provided additional education for Black children. His mother’s fortitude and courage led to his graduating high school and attending Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana with both a four-year athletic (football) and academic scholarship. He attended the Bayou Boy’s State program to gain leadership training and experience. He excelled in science and focused his educational pursuits on becoming a doctor. At the time he finished college with his B.S. in Pre-Med in 1959, no medical school in the state of Louisiana allowed Black people to attend. His father mortgaged the family home to afford to send him to Washington, D.C. to Howard University School of Medicine. He received his M.D. in 1964 and married his beloved wife Marjorie Welch Fitts in June of that year. He completed his medical internship and residency in Internal Medicine and served as a pharmacy research fellow at Howard University between 1964 and 1968. He then joined the United States Army, Medical Corp where he achieved the rank of Major. In 1970, he completed his service to his country and became certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine. He and his young family moved to Dallas, Texas in 1970 to begin his private medical practice. He was affiliated with St. Paul Hospital and Baylor University Medical Center as an attending physician. He also served as an Assistant Clinical Instructor at Southwestern Medical School/Parkland Hospital. He enjoyed making rounds on Saturdays at St. Paul and attending Saturday afternoon mass in the St. Paul Chapel for many years. He often brought his daughters to St. Paul after Sunday mass to hang out in the doctor’s lounge while he checked on patients one last time for the weekend. He enjoyed the science of medicine and spent countless hours in his study at his giant wooden desk researching the latest developments in medicine to bring healing to his patients.
He was active in the Dallas community providing healthcare regardless of the ability of patients to pay. He was a member of the Boards of Directors of the American Heart Association (Dallas Chapter), KERA, Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation and volunteered with the Dallas Independent School District as an athletic team doctor and speaker on medical careers. He received the Neighborhood Task Force Award, American Heart Association Community Service Award, Committee of 100 Achievement Award and several other recognitions for his service. He was a proud founding member of the Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. Outside of work, he enjoyed golf, tennis, hunting, watching and commenting loudly at sporting events, corny dad jokes and serving as the videographer at family events.
He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 52 years, Marjorie Fitts Louis, his parents Levy and Martha Louis, brothers Paul (Nolia), Milton (Dorothy), and Lawrence (AltaMae) and sisters Anastasia, Alice (Edward Taylor), and Emily. He is survived by his youngest sister Lola Marie of Florida and daughters Jill Louis (Randy Bowman) and Erika Louis and grandchildren Malcolm Bowman (Morgan Mason), Rachel Bowman and Madelyn Walton and many nieces and nephews who cherish his memory. Visitation will be Sunday, March 2, 2025, from 3-6 p.m. at Restland Funeral Home. Services will be held on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 11 a.m. at St. Monica Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Howard University School of Medicine and At Last!, Inc. in honor of Dr. Louis’ belief in the power of an education against the odds.
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