Dr.Gaston Machado, M.D., 85, passed away peacefully at his home on South Padre Island, Texas on Sunday, May 8, 2011. Dr. Machado was born in Cuba in 1926 and graduated from the University of Havana Medical School in 1951. He then came to the United States to do his medical internship in Trenton, New Jersey, where he met his wife, Elaine. After completing surgical residencies in New York, Dallas, and Austin in 1958, he entered into his practice of General and Vascular Surgery in Arlington, Texas. Dr. Machado was a member of the American Medical Association as well as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In 1960, Dr. Machado began service in the Army National Guard where he retired as a Major in 1968. After a successful surgical practice that spanned 35 years in Arlington, Gaston and Elaine retired permanently to their long-time second home on South Padre Island, Texas in 1992. Gaston enjoyed family, friends, hunting, fishing and especially his boat, the Oso Grande. He served on the Board of Directors of the T.I.F.T. for several years. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Elaine; five children: Ann, Priscilla, Lisa, Bo, and Frank; nine grandchildren: Ryan, Trevor, Caroline, Katherine, Kendall, Andrew, Kristen, Kelly and Hunter. A memorial service will be held Friday, May 20, 2011 at 4 PM at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 705 South Longoria Street in Port Isabel, Texas. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent in memory of Dr. Gaston Machado M.D. to the Welfare Animal Rescue Fund, PO Box 40003, South Padre Island, Texas 78597. Words of comfort can be sent to the Machado family at www.thomaegarza.com Military Honors will be conducted by American Legion Post 498 and V.F.W. Post 8791 of Port Isabel, Texas. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Home, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas 78586 (956) 399-1331