Jimmy Frank Howell M.D.

Jimmy Frank Howell, M.D., 82, of Houston, Texas passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Monday, December 22, 2014. Dr. Howell was born September 10, 1932 in Winnfield, Louisiana to Burley DeSoto Howell and Maggie Penola Howell. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Billie June Howell Murphy, and is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Roberta Blankenstein Howell; children, Elizabeth Annette Howell LeNoble and husband Christian LeNoble, Roberta Elise Howell Houren and husband Jay Houren, Celia Deanne Howell Dettling and husband David Dettling, Jennifer Katherine Howell Caspary and husband Todd Caspary, James Frank Howell and wife Stephanie Sarao Howell, Robert Collins Howell; grandchildren, James Joseph LeNoble and wife Melanie Parinas LeNoble, Anne Estelle LeNoble, Elise Marie Houren, Catherine Adelaide Houren, Carolyn Louise Houren, Jonathan Bentley Dettling, Ross Anthony Dettling, Melissa Elizabeth Caspary, Sarah Caroline Caspary, Samuel Selim Caspary, Reid Gerard Caspary, Robert Collins Howell, II, Brennan Elizabeth Howell; great grandchildren, Emile Christian LeNoble, Keira Sage LeNoble, Eden Paige LeNoble, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends. Dr. Howell was a Professor of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine and served in this position for 50 years. He graduated from Baylor College in 1957 and was awarded a position in Baylor Affiliated Surgical Residency Program after completing a Residency in 1958. He completed the General Surgery Residency Program in 1962. He then completed his Thoracic Surgery Residency in 1963, having been trained by Doctors DeBakey, Cooley, Crawford, Morris and others. Upon completion of his Thoracic Cardiovascular Training, he was invited to join Dr. Michael E. DeBakey as his associate in the Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. The development of cardiovascular surgery was very rapid in the early era, and new “firsts” seemed the norm rather than the exception. He served as Director of The Vascular Surgery Training Program at Baylor College of Medicine and The Methodist Hospital, which has produced numerous national and international vascular surgeons. He was a member of multiple professional societies, including The American College of Surgeons, American Medical Society, The Society of Thoracic Surgery, International Cardiovascular Society, Association for Vascular Surgery, Texas Surgical Society, Houston Surgical Society, The American College of Chest Surgeons, American College of Cardiology, the Osler Society and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Society. He was instrumental in the development of certain types of cardiac surgery, especially for ischemic heart disease. Inspired by Dr. H. Edward Garrett early in his career, he sought a surgical solution to coronary occlusive disease. This work resulted in the first successful coronary artery bypass operation in 1964 by Drs. Garrett and Howell. Dr. Howell performed more than 60,000 surgical procedures with more than 30,000 being cardiac or vascular in nature. He has been recognized worldwide for his many contributions to the reduction of disability and death from heart disease and stroke. In as much as service to the medical field and his patients were important in his life, cattle ranching and oil and gas were his loves away from the hospital. Jimmy could analyze an oil well or operate a bulldozer as well as anyone and spent much of his free time at his ranch in Liberty, Texas. When he was not at the hospital, he was at the ranch with his beloved wife Roberta. Above all, he loved his family and loved spending time with them. He was loved by those who knew him and will be greatly missed. The Howell family is deeply grateful for the loving care given to Dr. Howell by the doctors and nurses at the Methodist Hospital, especially Dr. Albert E. Raizner, Dr. Juan J. Olivero, Sr., and Dr. Gerald M. Lawrie. The Howell family will be present to receive friends for a visitation and reception, Monday, December 29, 2014 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM in St. Basil Hall at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2120 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77098. The Funeral Mass will commence Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at 10:00 AM at St. Anne Catholic Church. Dr. Howell will be laid to rest at Glenwood Cemetery in a private family ceremony following the service. Friends and family are invited to attend a reception at River Oaks Country Club, 1600 River Oaks Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77019 beginning at 1:00 PM following graveside services. In lieu of flowers please consider contributions in Dr. Howell’s memory to Baylor College of Medicine, Jimmy and Roberta Howell Chair in Cardiovascular Surgery, MSC #800, Post Office Box 4976 Houston, Texas 77210. Visit www.DettlingFuneral.com to leave online tributes.

Jimmy Frank Howell M.D.

September 10, 1932 - December 22, 2014