Dr. Brad Howard

Richard Bradley ("Brad") Howard, DVM, 62, of Tulsa, passed away unexpectantly Saturday morning, August 8, 2026. He was born December 17, 1963, in Waurika, Oklahoma to Carolyn Cathey Howard and Richard Wayne Howard.

Brad primarily grew up in a rural area outside of Duncan where he learned to weld and made great pocket money in the summers welding frac tanks for Halliburton. The oilfield bust hit about the time he graduated Empire High as Sr. Class President in 1982, so he opted for college, eventually landing at Oklahoma State University. While he had family ties there, the bigger draw was that his high school sweetheart, Jean Ann Hudson, was there. They eloped to Martha's Vineyard, MA right before he graduated from OSU's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1992.

They built a beautiful life in Tulsa, which was just close enough to keep their OSU season football tickets. Their world became complete when they had two children, Elise and Evan. They raised them well, and soon both also graduated from OSU and returned to live in Tulsa. The family enjoyed many wonderful vacations, often at beaches such as Maui, Sanibel, Playa Del Carmen, and frequently Dauphin Island. They also gathered on Sundays for a meal and a few rousing games of Uno, especially if Brad's perfectly smoked and juicy brisket was on the menu. He took pride in his grilling ability, often smoking meat overnight to get it just right. Luckily, he had great neighbors who never complained about the smoke or his beekeeping hobby. While he loved the bees - and their honey - they were a source of frustration as the bees often swarmed away to greener pastures. They attended the First Baptist Church of Tulsa.

Brad's work as a veterinarian reflected his great love for animals. Licensed in Oklahoma and Texas, he practiced small animal veterinary medicine for 34 years, primarily in Tulsa at Woodland East Animal Hospital and at Edgewood Veterinary Hospital. His colleagues describe Brad as having a true calling in veterinary medicine with an exceptional talent for orthopedic surgery. He dedicated his life to providing compassionate care to pets and their families, and his commitment to the well-being of his patients touched countless lives throughout the community. His home was never without at least a few rescues, most recently Kitty Bell and Ladybug, whose multiple health problems require concierge vet care.

Brad was known for his kindness, humor, dedication, joyfulness, thoroughness, and, of course, his penchant for wearing OSU orange when not in scrubs. He was known for kissing every "patient" on the head when he entered an examination room, and somehow never needed to have his lip sutured back on! If dogs go to heaven, there is surely a long line waiting for another kiss on the head from him.

Brad is survived by his wife of 34 years, Jean Ann Hudson; daughter, Elise Hudson Howard; son, Evan Hudson Howard; brother, Glenn Murray Howard and his wife Robbin; sister, Carol Anne Garrett and her husband Tim; brother-in laws, Robert Hudson and his wife Dianne and Dr. Michael Hudson and his wife Lisa; and sister-In-law Shelly Hollingsworth and her husband Dan; and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents.

Family Visitation will be at Moore's Southlawn Chapel, 9350 E. 51st Street, Tulsa, on Sunday, August 16, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and a Memorial Service will be held on Monday, August 17, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. immediately followed by a Celebration of Life gathering, also at Moore's Southlawn. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Ok Westie Rescue (okwestierescue.com/donate/), Streetcats (streetcatstulsa.org/you-can-help), or Up With Trees (upwithtrees.org).