Jorge Velez

Dr. Jorge Velez, age 88, passed away peacefully at home on November 30, 2022 after a two-year battle with lymphoma. His wife of 55 years, Martha, was at his side. He will always be remembered as a loving husband and family man, a caring physician, and an avid sports fan with a great sense of humor.

Jorge was born November 12, 1934 in Caicedonia, Colombia, where he started from humble beginnings. Growing up in Colombia, he loved bull fights and soccer matches, eventually working as a radio announcer for the hometown soccer team to help pay his way through medical school. Following medical school, he completed radiology residency training in Colombia. After his first visit to the United States in his late 30s, he was inspired by the state of healthcare in the United States and made the decision to leave the comfort of his beloved Colombia and move to the US, enlisting in the Army.

Jorge repeated residency to become a board-certified radiologist and served in the military for 10 years as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Medical Corp. He then entered private practice and was a partner with Radiology Associates of San Antonio for over 20 years. He loved his profession but retired at 72, saying he would’ve loved to keep practicing but was so frustrated trying to remember all the login passwords to the different hospital computers. Jorge could always be found in the various hospitals and imaging centers engaging and laughing with radiology technologists and facetiously asking them, “Are you having trouble understanding my Bostonian accent?”

Jorge loved this country so much and was grateful for the opportunities it granted him. One of his favorite sayings was, “If you are well-trained and want to work, you will make it in this great country.” Jorge and Martha especially enjoyed hosting fellow Colombian doctors new to the city, always believing in passing it on and making sure people felt welcome.

Jorge spent his last ten years with Martha, alternating between home in San Antonio and Colombia. He loved being around people, especially enjoying Thursday lunch with his friends, and spending time with his five grandchildren. Ito, as his grandkids referred to him, also loved traveling, swimming a mile a day, and reading his hometown newspaper. He could always be heard telling a funny story from his past or preaching the value of education and hard work.

Jorge is survived by his loving wife Martha; son Jorge Velez, his wife Tracey, and their children, Lauren, Brittany, Natalie, Sophie, and Samuel; son Luis Michael Velez, his wife Raynell, and their children, Alec and Ryan; and son David Velez.

The family would like to thank all of those who provided such wonderful and loving care while Jorge battled lymphoma, especially Dr. Daniel Juarez, Dr. Holahan and his nurse, Belia, Dr. Roldan, and Gentiva Hospice.

A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, December 9, 1:00pm at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.