Dr. Arsenio “Doc” Villanueva, 78, went to be with our Lord and passed away peacefully on November 22, 2019 in Yukon, Oklahoma.
Arsenio Villanueva, Jr was born in Cebu City, Philippines to Arsenio and Asuncion Villanueva on May 11, 1941. He married Asuncion “Siony” Reboldal on September 26, 1965 in Rizal, Philippines. Arsenio graduated in 1967 from the Cebu Institute of Technology with a Doctor of Medicine degree.
He and Siony decided to leave the Philippines and move to Georgetown, Guyana so that they could provide opportunity and a good future for their three small kids. He served as a Government Medical Officer for the Guyana Defense Force at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
While in Guyana, they witnessed the tragedy of the Jim Jones massacre near Georgetown and sought for life elsewhere. Doc applied for a medical work visa in the United States with five kids in tow and landed in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia in 1974. He and Siony dreamed of opportunity and freedom for their children.
He went on to practice medicine nearby at several area hospitals in Chattanooga, Tennessee including Eastridge Community Hospital and John L. Hutchinson Memorial Tri-County Hospital.
He left Tri-County with six kids to his final medical practicing years at the Clinton Veterans Hospital in Clinton, Oklahoma where he enjoyed serving veterans and their families.
It was extremely important to Doc and Siony that becoming an American citizen be part of the legacy they leave for their family. In 1984 and ten years after arriving in America on a work visa, one of Doc and Siony’s greatest prides was the family becoming citizens of the United States of America.
After his retirement at the Clinton Veterans Hospital, he and Siony saw an opportunity to purchase a local restaurant near the highway along the Clinton I-40 exit. The Pancake Inn was a way to foster Siony’s passion for cooking by integrating the Filipino cuisine and still keeping the local American favorites. They successfully ran the Pancake Inn Restaurant for over 18 years. They used the restaurant as a way to continue instilling character, values and a strong work ethic in their children by having them each play a role in feeding not only those in the western Oklahoma community but also the many homeless and displaced travelers.
Arsenio was a member of the Philippine Southern Medical Association, American Medical Association and the Clinton Kiwanis Club. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Clinton and Holy Spirit Catholic church in Mustang. He received his certificate for the Education Council for Foreign Medical Graduates, and was awarded the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Examiners License along with several other licenses from the Philippines Board of Medical Examiners.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Arsenio Sr. and Asuncion Villanueva; brothers Robert Villanueva of Toronto, Canada, and Joe Villanueva of Cebu City, Philippines; and sister Ester Villanaueva of Cebu City, Philippines.
Arsenio Villanueva is survived by his wife Siony of Yukon and their six children, son Alain of Jacksonville, Florida; son Jason and his wife Cheryl of Oklahoma City; daughter Hazel (Welch) and her husband Charles of Yukon; daughter Karen (Marousky) and her husband Mark of Jacksonville, Florida; son Kurt and his wife Sara of Peoria, Arizona; and son Derek and wife Kerry of Oklahoma City.
He is also survived by his sister, Daisy Villanueva of Cebu City, Philippines. His loving legacy lives on in his grandchildren, Ashley and husband Greg Beller of Mustang, Ryan and wife Markie Stout of Mustang, Peyton Day of Burns Flat, Ethan and Quinn Villanueva of Peoria, Arizona, Payton and Paige of Jacksonville, Florida, Davis, Dane, and Drew of Oklahoma City, Amanda Lynette of San Carlos, Philippines; and great-grandchildren, Ryan Stout Jr., Karmyn Christine, Isaiah Arsenio, Finley, Nolan, and baby girl due in spring 2020; a niece, Lara, a nephew, Marlon; and numerous cousins.
A public visitation will be Tuesday, November 26, from 2-8 pm at Mc-Neil’s Funeral Home in Mustang, Oklahoma, with services held at 2pm Wednesday, November 27, also at McNeil’s.