Dr. Howard Lawhon Crockett

The legendary Dr. Howard Lawhon Crockett was received by his Savior and King, Jesus Christ, on September 30, 2024 at the age of 75. He passed away at his home of 30 years surrounded by his family and memories o his adventures.

Howard, affectionately known as “Pops” by his grandchildren, was born in Freeport, TX on October 18, 1948, to Jack and Irene Crockett. He grew up in Houston where he was an All-Star baseball player and learned to hunt and fish from his father. At the age of 9 he broke his leg and became fascinated with medicine and becoming a doctor. Howard pursued his passions after graduating from Dallas’ Kimball High School in 1967. Between 1967 and 1971 he attended the University of Texas at Austin and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega (National Social Fraternity), Phi Eta Sigma (Honorary Scholastic Fraternity) and Alpha Epsilon Delta (International Premedical Honor Society). It is rumored that he contributed to the 1968-1970 Texas Longhorn National Football team by “helping” it’s players maintain their academic eligibility.

In between studies, Howard romanced the love of his life, Carol Gillett, whom he was married to for 54 years. With limited finances, Howard and Carol spent time with their “outlaws” Michael and Sandy Gillett by playing cards during study breaks. After graduating with honors, they moved to Galveston where he attended the University of Texas Medical School. In 1973, Howard became the family patriarch with the birth of Jennifer. As a medical student, he won the Herman B. Barnett Student Surgical Award after being inducted into the Mu Delta Honor Society and serving as a class officer. In 1975, Howard graduated in the top third of his medical school class and moved to Temple where he completed his orthopedic internship and residency at Scott and White Medical Center. There he became Chief Resident and fathered his first son, Jonathan. In 1980 the Crocketts moved to their adoptive hometown of Conroe where Howard became a pillar of the community by serving as an Orthopedic Surgeon, youth sports coach, and Sunday School Teacher. In 1981 he and Carol made their most spirited contribution to the world with the birth of Justin.

When he wasn’t working, he could be found competing in triathlons, hunting and biking Loop 336. Howard was a renaissance man that loved all facets of life including the outdoors, the arts, and traveling. He kissed Carol atop of the Eiffel Tower, viewed paintings in the Louvre, prayed in Rome, zip lined over the Caribbean, and snow skied most, if not all, of the Rocky Mountains. He also met U.S. Presidents, hand dug water wells as a Christian Missionary, helped build orphanages in Guatemala, ran triathlons, carried the Olympic Torch and hunted and fished from Alaska to New Zealand. One of his most storied hunts took place in Africa where he harvested a leopard and cape buffalo with Justin. In West Texas, Jonathan witnessed him shoot a dove at over a 150 yards with his favorite rifle, a .300 Weatherby. Howard also loved rooting on his favorite teams of the Astros and Longhorns with his only child that bleed burnt orange, Jennifer. One of his favorite things was taking his children and grandchildren to Disney World to smile and laugh with them.

On Friday nights you could find him on the sidelines of Buddy Moorehead Stadium cheering and treating the Conroe Tigers as their team doctor. Before retiring in 2016, after 36 years of practicing medicine, Howard was a member of the University of Texas Chancellor’s Council and 200 Horn Club. He was also Chief of Surgery at Doctor’s hospital, President of Sadler Clinic and served on the Board of the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Texas. Texas Monthly also recognized him as one of the top 100 doctors in Texas in 2006-07.

Despite his countless accomplishments, Howard’s greatest achievement was being a follower of Jesus Christ. He was benevolent with his blessings and his faith. He shared both with family, friends, patients, and strangers. He lived strong and courageously. His life exemplified 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 which says “Stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”

His laugh and epic story telling will be missed. His children and wife will especially miss the way he hugged, smiled and lived. He was loved and respected by all, and his life’s contributions will echo into eternity. Howard is survived by his wife, Carol, children Jennifer, Jonathan, Justin and their spouses Jamison Smith, Robin Crockett, and Emilie Crockett. Howard’s spirit will continue through his 7 grandchildren, whom he loved: Grayson Smith, Hope Smith, Michaela Smith, Chance Crockett, Carson Crockett, Major Crockett, and Monroe Crockett. Howard is also survived by the Gillett family of Michael, Sandy, and Amy. He loved all it’s members including Carl, Kelley, Ainsley, and Gage Loredo.

The Crockett family would like to express a special thanks to Dr. Gary Sharpless, Toni Hood, and Heart to Heart Hospice member Lauren Snyder, AccurCare nurses Frieda Bookman and Gayle Woods for their outstanding care.

Howard’s memory can be honored through contributions to Living Water International at www.water.cc and First Baptist Church Conroe at fbconroe.org.

Visitation will be Wednesday, October 2 at Metcalf Funeral Directors from 5-7 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, October 3 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church Conroe, 600 N Main St. Interment will be at Garden Park Cemetery.

The Services will be livestreamed at fbcconroe.org/livestream