Juancho Cruz Bautista
Dr. Juancho Cruz Bautista, 85, of Hixson, Tennessee, passed away on July 30, 2021.
Born on Feb. 15, 1936, in Imus, Cavite, Philippines. He was the son of the late Pedro S. Bautista and Rosario L. Bautista. He was predeceased by his siblings Isabel Arbues, Benito Bautista, Mary Tolentino, Pedro Bautista, Antero Bautista, and former wife Nita Bautista.
Dr. Bautista graduated from the Colegio de San Juan de Letrán, Manila, Philippines in 1956 and then completed medical school at the University of Santo Tomas College of Medicine, Manila, Philippines in 1965. He concluded his medical internship at Veterans Memorial Hospital, Manila, Philippines and Toledo Hospital, Toledo, Ohio. He completed his medical residency in Anesthesia at Baroness Erlanger Hospital. He was an Emergency Room House Physician and First Assistant at Hutcheson Memorial Hospital Ft. Oglethorpe, GA. and Bradley Memorial Hospital Cleveland, TN. He moved his young family from the Philippines to the United States in 1966. He began his medical practice as an anesthesiologist with HCA Parkridge Hospital. He was former Chief of Anesthesia and one of the original founding physicians of HCA Parkridge Hospital. He found it to be his highest honor and privilege to serve and care for his patients. He served the medical community for 33 years, retiring in 2000, all while establishing long lasting friendships with patients, staff, and colleagues.
Dr. Bautista was an avid tennis player and runner. He came from a family of talented musicians and thus played the violin and saxophone. One of the highlights of playing the saxophone was being a member of the all-physicians quartet jazz band in Chattanooga. He was also a member of Scenic City Chorale.
He was compassionate and supportive of others. He loved and enjoyed time spent with his wife, six children, 13 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. He was very proud of their accomplishments and always emphasized the value of education. He loved the Lord and his church. He was a longtime parishioner of St. Jude Catholic Church and a member of the church choir.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 32 years, Maria Luisa “Malu” P. Bautista; his treasured children, Joel B. Bautista (Cheryl) of Chattanooga, Emelyn “Amy” B. Dunavin of Signal Mountain, Emmanuel “Manny” B. Bautista (Helen) of Sandy Springs, GA, Ramoncito “Tee” B. Bautista (Melanie) of Signal Mountain, John Juancho “J.J.” P. Bautista of Nashville, TN, Peter Ross P. Bautista of Chattanooga; 13 grandchildren, Cailyn Bautista Lillard (Jock) of Memphis, TN, Bailey Bautista McCurry (Andrew) of Gainesville, FL, Anne Marie Bautista Smith (Hugh) of Charleston, W. VA, Cruz Bautista of Chattanooga, Lauren Dunavin Callins (Jamison) of Nashville, TN, Augusta Dunavin Weaver (Nick) of Oxford, MS, Sydney Dunavin of Jacksonville, FL, Keely and Emma Dunavin of Signal Mountain, Noah and Isabella Bautista of Sandy Springs, GA, Olivia and Orie Bautista of Signal Mountain; 6 great grandchildren, Magnolia, Tallulah, and Jamison Callins and Ezra, Bessie Pearl, and Johnny Rhodi Weaver; his brothers Marianito C. Bautista, Rogelio C. Bautista, Guam, and Fely B. Perez, Hawaii; several cousins, nieces, and nephews; many friends and extended family.
The family would like to thank the doctors and staff of Erlanger Hospital, Memorial Hospital, Life Care Center, Dominion Senior Living of Hixson, and Hearth Hospice as well as private caregiver Keisha Graves who provided him with excellent and compassionate care.
Special thank you to Fr. Charlie Burton, Fr. Alex Waraksa, Fr. Mike Creason, and the Legion of Mary members of St. Jude Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Dr. Juancho C. Bautista may be made to St. Jude Catholic Church at 930 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37415.
Family will receive friends from 6- 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6, at Chattanooga Funeral Home North Chapel, Hixson.
A Funeral Mass will be at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7, at St. Jude Catholic Church with Fr. Charlie Burton officiating followed by interment at the church Columbarium. A reception will be held afterwards.
“Father, Into thy hands I commend my spirit…” – Luke 23:46
Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.