Obituary of Grady Lamar Hallman

Grady Lamar Hallman, MD, born October 25, 1930 to Mr. and Mrs. Grady L. Hallman, went to be with Jesus on the morning of January 13, 2017, in Houston, Texas. Dr. Hallman was a native Texan who received his B.A. degree with honors from the University of Texas in Austin. He received his M.D. degree with honors from Baylor College of Medicine in 1954 and was named Distinguished Alumnus in 2003. He served in the Medical Corps, United States Army from 1956 to 1958. Between 1962 and 1969 Dr. Hallman was a member of the Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine engaged in the clinical practice of surgery, teaching, and research. After that time, he served at the Texas Heart Institute of St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, and as clinical Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine and at the University of Texas Medical School, both in Houston. Dr. Hallman was the author of 309 publications including a textbook on “Surgical Treatment of Congenital Heart Disease” now in its third edition. He performed the first successful coronary graft operation in 1962. He was a member of numerous medical and professional organizations and had been a consultant in heart surgery for the United States Army at Brooke Army Hospital, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Dr. Hallman was also an avid musician. While at the University of Texas, Dr. Hallman played trombone in the Longhorn Band and was elected to Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity. He played euphonium in the UT Symphonic Band and received the Outstanding Band Member Award. He was also elected to membership in Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Scholastic Society. Dr. Hallman was elected to the Longhorn Band Hall of Honor in 1998. Between 1993 and 1999 Doctor Hallman toured each summer with the American Winds Concert Band and played solos in England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Italy, and Greece. Of special interest were his solo appearances with the Dallas Wind Symphony in Myerson Symphony Center, The Texas Wind Symphony in the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, and the Doctors Orchestra of Houston in the Hobby Center. While at the Texas Heart Institute, Dr. Hallman founded and directed “The Heartbeats,” an all-Doctor band, which became very successful in performance and notoriety. Dr. Hallman was a member of the Board of Advisors of the Houston Symphony and was a Chair Sponsor. For forty years he sponsored a brass ensemble concert as part of the Houston Friends of Music concert series at Rice University. Dr. Hallman was a member of the Board of Governors of the Shepherd (School of Music) Society at Rice University, and Chairman of the Executive Board of Summit Brass. Dr. Hallman is survived by his three sons, Daniel Hallman, David Hallman and his wife, Kimmy, Charles Hallman, MD, and his wife, Martha; grandchildren, Joshua and his wife Heather Hallman, Joy Hallman, Jacob Hallman, Kathryn and husband Cole Wallace, Johnny Gentle, Carley Hallman, Kyle Hallman; great-granddaughter, Olivia Wallace; sister, Martha Feely and her children Jan Kennedy, Lynn Cayton, Brian Feely, Timothy Feely, and Dan Feely; and brother-in-law Dr. Herman Suit and his wife, Joan. Dr. Hallman was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Martha Suit Hallman, and his grandson, Bryan Gentle.