DR. JAMES L. HADNOTT
May 19, 1937 ~ January 20, 2025
James Leonard Hadnott, M.D. was born to William Hicks Hadnott, Sr. and Marjorie O’Neil Hadnott on May 19, 1937 in Beaumont, Texas. He was their third of four sons, and sixth of seven children.
The untimely deaths of Dr. Hadnott’s mother and father, who passed away when he was seven and 12 years old, respectively, caused uncertainty, expedited independence and early motivation to pursue a career in medicine.
His first job, a newspaper route, sparked an entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic that never left Dr. Hadnott, and led to him reading the newspaper daily from the front page to the back.
As a son of two public school teachers, the importance of education was instilled in Dr. Hadnott at an early age. He graduated with honors from Hebert High School in 1954 and also excelled in music while there.
In 1958, Dr. Hadnott earned a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Texas Southern University, where he also pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Beta Upsilon Chapter.
After taking additional courses at TSU and Lamar College, Dr. Hadnott followed in the footsteps of his two older brothers by attending the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He proceeded to earn a Doctor of Medicine degree from UTMB in 1962 by graduating from an accelerated, three-year honors program.
Dr. Hadnott began his postgraduate training in a rotating internship in the University of Southern California Teaching Program based at Kern County General Hospital and served as Captain in the California Army Reserve National Guard while there.
He started his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Case Western Reserve University Teaching Program based at Cleveland Metropolitan Hospital while serving as Captain in the Ohio Army Reserve National Guard and completed his residency at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio while serving as Major in the Texas Army Reserve.
After two years as a full-time faculty member at UTHSCSA, Dr. Hadnott obtained Board Certification from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and became a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
In 1969, Dr. Hadnott entered private practice as an Obstetrician and Gynecologist, a career that would eventually span 40 years.
As a member of the Admissions Committee at UTHSCSA, Dr. Hadnott was a champion of diversity among qualified medical school candidates.
Dr. Hadnott married Gwendolyn Morse in 1972. Their 52-year union yielded two children, and a foundation rooted in the prioritization of God, family, education, hard work and kindness towards others.
In 1974, Dr. Hadnott was one of four African Americans who invested in the San Antonio Spurs when an ownership group was assembled to relocate the franchise to San Antonio.
A devout man of God, Dr. Hadnott was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church. He was appointed Chairman of the church’s endowment fund and to its board of trustees.
As a recognized leader in his profession, Dr. Hadnott was elected and appointed to numerous roles, including Director, City of San Antonio Health Facilities Development Corporation; President, The San Antonio Obstetrics and Gynecology Society; President, C. A. Whitter Medical Society; Member, Finance Committee, Bexar County Medical Foundation; Member, Task Force on Indigent Health Care, Texas Medical Association and Treasurer, Lone Star State Medical Association.
Additionally, Dr. Hadnott later served the Bexar County Medical Society as Chairman, Board of Censors; Secretary-Treasurer; Executive Board; Member, Board of Directors and Member, Service Bureau, served as Member, Board of Directors of B.E.A.T. AIDS and served on the Board of United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County. He became a Member of the Executive Council of the Texas Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (TAOG) in 1995, and in 1998 became the TAOG President-Elect.
Dr. Hadnott was a co-developer of East San Antonio Medical Medical Center and EastPointe Medical Center, two state-of-the-art facilities that offered access to a range of specialty and primary care services to a community that was long underserved.
In 2001, Dr. Hadnott was honored by the UTHSCSA Obstetrics and Gynecology Alumni Association for serving as an “excellent example as an individual instituting positive impacts on society through his exemplary medical leadership and community service.”
After retiring from private practice in 2009, Dr. Hadnott rejoined the UTHSCSA faculty and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alamo City Black Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Hadnott retired from the UTHSCSA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2012.
Dr. Hadnott was an avid golfer, San Antonio Spurs fan and fan of the University of Texas Longhorns He was a loving grandfather who enjoyed nothing more than playing an active role in the life of his grandchildren.
James L. Hadnott, M.D. passed away on January 20, 2025. He was 87.
Dr. Hadnott was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers; Harold Hadnott, O’Neil Hadnott, M.D. and William H. Hadnott, M.D. and his sisters; Laverne Hadnott Mayes, Ethelyn Hadnott White and Evelyn Hadnott Jackson. He is survived by his devoted wife, Gwendolyn Morse Hadnott; his son, James Harold Hadnott, daughter-in-law Rebecca and their son, Austyn Storm Hadnott of Los Angeles, California; his daughter, Joy Leslie Lewis, son-in-law Zach and their daughters, Dream Sidney Lewis and Golden James Lewis of Hidden Hills, California as well as his brother-in-law, Ulysses Morse and his wife Jannie Morse of San Antonio, Texas and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services
Interment following service: February 7, 2025 12:00 am - August 26, 2025 2:30 pm
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Dr Hadnott was my doctor from the age of 14 until he retired. He delivered both my children. I was lost for a gynecologist after he retired. He was also my mom’s and my sister’s doctor. He was a handsome, kind, funny, caring, and down to earth man. My appointments were catch up times for us both and my appointments lasted longer than they were supposed to. The world was a better place with him in it. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.
Growing up on “The Hill” in Lovelady, Sonny and Billy were more like our cousins than Daddy’s. Their visits were special occasions on the farm where nothing particularly exciting ever happened. Later, one or both of them could be counted on to show up for Good Friday fishing excursions. The world looks different knowing both of them are gone. They are missed.
Dearest Gwen, Harold & Joy. Sending heartfelt prayers to uplift you in God’s grace. Dr. Jim was good people as we used to say in the Army. He is remembered for the strong, intelligent, humorous, caring, and gifted family man he was throughout his entire life. He will not be forgotten. May he rest in peace and continue onward on a new level in heaven. God bless our fond memories of such a good man and member of this family. Be encouraged.
News of Dr. Hadnott’s death really hit me hard. He was my doctor since 1976 when I moved to San Antonio. I continue to see him annually after I relocated to Houston. He was a godsend throughout my pregnancy. He was a doctor, friend and a good listener.
He was the best. Rest well, Dr. Hadnott.
News of Dr. Hadnott’s death really hit me hard. He was my doctor since 1976 when I moved to San Antonio. I continued to see him annually after I relocated to Houston. He was a godsend throughout my pregnancy.
He was a doctor, friend and a good listener.
He was the best! Rest well, Dr. Hadnott.
Dr. Jim Hadnott was a great man, he was the husband of my cousin Gwen. Although I didn’t see him often when I did it was always a pleasure to talk to him, our conversations would go on for hours. I’m going to miss those conversations, as well as him. Rest in peace Jim, you’ve gone home now and your presence will be greatly missed.
To the Hadnott Family my prayers are with you. Brother Hadnott was a Kappa with integrity, intelligence, and a kind spirit. Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16. Heaven is the place where God most fully makes known his presence to bless.
This news brings me much sadness. Dr. Hadnott was my first doctor. He was true caring professional. I recall the last time that I saw him. It was at Lubys. Both he and Dr. Hillard were having lunch. I approached their table and introduced myself to them both. That were both very kind. I knew they had many patients so I knew either of them really remember who I was, but that didn’t matter to me, because I knew that had many patients therefore it would be different for them to remember me. Yet in still they was receptive and kind enough to pause their lunch to have a conversation with me. His dedication to my health he showed me was priceless and appreciated. The world have lost an impeccable doctor and heaven have gained a true caring human being whom I will never forget. Sincere condolences to his entire family.
To the Hadnott Family, The members of the San Antonio (TX) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. are together in prayer with you. Brother Hadnott impacted lives not just by his professional practice but certainly through his life’s Kappa journey from Texas Southern, interactions with Houston Alumni, San Antonio Alumni and throughout the Southwestern Province.
The news of Dr. Hadnott death brings me much sadness. He was a good buddy/friend from our college days to the time of his passing.That friendship will truly be missed and leaves a void in my life. I’m very thankful to have wonderful memories of such a good friend. My deepest condolences to his wife, family and love ones.