Dr. Howard Holbrooks
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Dr. Howard Ray Holbrooks, 44, of Lawrence, KS passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2013 in Lawrence, KS.
He was born in Ft. McClellan, Alabama on May 27, 1968 to Owen Holbrooks and Judy Silver. He attended Santa Fe Trail High School in Carbondale, KS and graduated in 1986 where he was a KSHSAA Academic Athlete, All State Football, All League Football, State Wrestling participant, Shrine Bowl Athlete and Kansas Boy State attendee.
He then continued his education and football career at Coffeyville Community College, Coffeyville, KS where he was the first athlete from Coffeyville Community College to have the honor of being selected by the NJCAA as an Academic All-American. He was selected to serve as Team Captain for the 1987 Red Raven football team, and at the end of his juco career, received Honorable Mention as linebacker on the NJCAA All-American Team. Howard continued his education and his football career at Washburn University, Topeka, KS, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. Among the many honors Howard garnered during his career at Washburn University are: NAIA Academic All-American, MIAA All-Conference, Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities, NAIA Scholar, Washburn University Academic Excellence Award, Washburn University Biology Scholar, Walt Disney NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship Finalist.
Upon his graduation from Washburn University, he entered the University of Kansas School of Medicine where he earned his M.D. degree in May 1995. He then enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center, and Irwin Army Community Hospital at Fort Riley, KS. Dr. Holbrooks chief duties included, Medical Director of the Anesthesia/Preoperative Services; Medical Director of ICU/PACU; Medical Director of Respiratory Care, and Medical Director of Ambulatory Care Center. He later concluded his Army career as a Major in the United States Army back in his home state of Kansas. He received the following honors and achievements in the U.S Army: Outstanding Intern of the Year at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center, U.S. Army Achievement Medal, Outstanding Anesthesia Resident before entering into private practice in Granbury, Texas. While in Granbury, TX. Dr. Holbrooks was Chief of the Anesthesiology Department at Lake Granbury Medical Center and was Co-Owner of River Valley Anesthesia and Pain Management in Granbury prior to moving back to Lawrence, KS.
He was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church. He enjoyed golfing and traveling with his family. One of his strongest attributes was his genuine care and welfare for others. He will be remembered for his dedication to not only all of his patients, but for all of his many colleagues, employees, and friends that he interacted with.
He is survived by his wife Sarah of 21 years, son Jake along with daughters Hannah and Ella all of Lawrence; brother Bob and spouse Denita Holbrooks, Piedmont, AL; brother Patrick & spouse Sondra Holbrooks, Piedmont, AL: sister Bonnie and spouse Jeff Gibson, Olathe, KS; sister Heather and spouse Steve Newell of Topeka, KS; sister Julie and spouse Ben Seidle, Fort Collins, CO; step father Don Silver of Carbondale, KS; In-Laws, Harold and Jackie Thomas of Coffeyville, KS; brother in law David and spouse Sandy Thomas of Lincoln, NE; sister in law Debbie and spouse Brian Baker of Derby, KS: sister in law Susan and spouse Matt Lomshek of Lawrence, KS; 10 Nieces and 6 Nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Owen Holbrooks, mother Judy Silver, and brother Billy Holbrooks.
The Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 a.m. On Tuesday, February 12th at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence.
The family suggests a memorial contribution to the Dr. Howard Holbrooks Family Fund, c/o Fidelity Charitable. Please make the check payable to Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund and reference the Dr. Howard Holbrooks Family Fund, account number 1048157. You are welcome to drop or mail contributions to Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Warren-McElwain Mortuary or directly to Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund at P.O. Box 770001, Cincinnati, Ohio 45277-0053. The Fund has been set up for scholarships, donations, and contributions in Dr. Howard Holbrooks name benefiting:
The ALS Society, Coffeyville Community College Endowment Association, Santa Fe Trail High School, Corpus Christi Catholic School within the communities that include Lawrence, Coffeyville, and Carbondale.
Our deepest condolences to the Holbrooks Family. Howard was a great person, it was a pleasure to have met him and his family.
To Pat and the rest of Howard’s family…please accept my deepest condolences on Howard’s passing. Howard was a tenacious guy! I share a LOT of great memories playing football at SFT with Howard…and the trips we took in the summer all over NE Kansas playing American Legion baseball in Howard’s yellow Z28 are some of my fondest memories from that time in my life.
Jim and I are the parents of Eve Cummins. We have witnessed, through, Eve, the love and devotion all of your family has extended to Dr. Holbrooks. We respect and admire you for your constancy of purpose. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this sad time.
To the Holbrook Family,
My deepest condolences over the loss of Howard. May your cherished memories in time help ease the pain of your loss. May God grant you peace, comfort and strength to overcome your grief. Loving thoughts and prayers are with you. Galatians 1:3; John 5:28; Matthew 5:5.
Sarah, Jake, Hannah & Ella,
Thanks for allowing us to get close to Howard and realize why he was so special to each of you. He was truly one of a kind. We love you and are here for you.
What a truly amazing man that I was always so proud to call my brother-in-law. We were cheated that his life was cut so short. Howard’s legacy will live on forever and he will always be in our hearts.
The world’s a better place because Howard was in it. And now Heaven is, too. What an incredible impact he had on so many people.
To Sarah, the kids and the rest of the Holbrooks family: You are in our hearts and in our prayers. May God bless.
Our lives have been so much richer for having Howard as our brother-in-law. We have never met a kinder, more humble, and gentle person. We feel so lucky to have been a part of his life and for him to have been a part of ours – he will be deeply missed.
Sarah, kids & family,
We & our boys are sad & Finn’s thoughts are with his classmates. We are so blessed to have met Doc and experience his indomitable spirit. Always good to have another angel on your side.
Sarah and family-I cannot begin to thank you for the honor and blessing you bestowed on me by allowing me to be one of Howard’s caregivers. He touched my life in a way that I cannot explain. May he rest in peace and save a place for us! My deepest sympathies to your family.
Howard touched our lives in the short time we knew him, he had such a warm smile, and made you feel very special when you met him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sarah, Hannah, Jake, Ella, and the rest of the family
Susie and I were saddened at your loss and send our thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Our deepest sympathies to the Holbrooks Family. We are lucky to have met Howard, Sarah and the kids while they lived in Granbury. Howard will be greatly missed. Love to you all.
I am so sorry for all of you. I remember when Howard played at CCC and you were all students here. I was able to catch up with Jackie and Harold at the Classic. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.
Sarah and family, Please accept our deepest sympathies.
Julie, Ben and family:
So sorry to hear about your loss. Our prayers to you and your family.
Jerry, Janet Campbell
To the family of Howard. Our hearts were deeply saddened when we heard that Howard had passed. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of his family and friends.
We were very saddened to hear the news of your loss and send our thoughts and prayers to you. Howard was a wonderful person and will be missed by us all.
I will always remember him as a great football player for the Red Ravens, but he was an even better person.
I am sorry for your loss.
Sarah…My deepest sympathies to you and your family. While I never had the opportunity to meet Howard, I felt like I knew him based on the many wonderful stories that your parents told me about him. He was indeed a remarkable man and one whose footprint will remain on this earth forever. May God bless you and your family.
Dear Sarah and children, HT and Jackie and all family members, We just want you to know how much we have you in our prayers and know that God has His loving arms around you during these days to come. You have been a wonderful wife and your children sound so special and your husband must have loved you all so much. We hope you will find peace knowing he is walking with God right now and all his angels. Someday we shall all see each other again and this will bring you through it. Our prayers and God’s blessings. Jo Lynn and Jim
Julie, Ben, and the rest of the family. So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during your time of loss.
Sarah, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Sarah, Hannah, Jake, and Ella….we are deeply saddened to hear of your loss. We pray that God will give you strenth and comfort in the memories you have all shared.
Worked with Dr. Holbrooks at Lake Granbury Medical Center. A truly caring and exceptional individual. Has left us way too soon. Thinking of all the family at this time.
With deepest sympathy
Pat Gregory
Sarah, Our hearts and prayers are with you and your children. I remember when I was teaching at CCC when you two fell madly in love. I wish you could have had more years together. Howard was good at everything he did–football, anesthesiology, being a husband, father,son-in-law, uncle etc. He even handled his ALS with such graceand courage, even humor. I have watched your niece, Katie mourn for him.He has left a great legacy of love and devotion that will heal those left behind. Again, Monte and I are holding all of you who knew him best and loved him in our hearts. If any family can rise above this grief, it will be your family. Love, Joy, Monte, and Monique
Sarah and family —
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We have been blessed to know Howard and your entire family. You have a never-ending love and your memories will live on in so many ways. May God bless you and keep you strong during this time of loss.
I did not know of Howards disease or that he was living in lawrence, wish i would have known, he was one of the finest boys that i had the privilige to coach in baseball. I always told my boys to pattern after him as you could not do any better.
Sarah,,,thoughts and prayers to you and the entire family. What a great inspiration to others.
You are in our thoughts at this sad time. We cherish the memories that we shared with you all when we lived in Fort Worth. He was a true gentleman and will be sorely missed by everyone that knew him.
Dr Holbrooks did the anesthesia for a knee replacement. When physical therapy goth up to walk I reeled with extreme pain. Dr Holbrooks was there with ten to twelve minutes and did expertly did nerve block. After being out of hospital a week or so I was having unrelenting nerve pain. On Good Friday Dr Keith Louden called him and he graciously met me in ER and subsequently over Easter weekend two times to refill my nerve block. I forever grateful for this gentle caring doctor. Everyone has lost a special person. Sincerely, Judy Schreiber, a patient in Granbury, Tx