Alan P. Picard

Alan Paul Picard, 64, of Gulfport, Mississippi, passed away on February 4, 2026, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

Born on September 28, 1961, in Biloxi, Mississippi, to Leroy and Ethel Picard, Alan grew up on the Point in Biloxi (Point Cadet), where the tight-knit, hardworking community of east Biloxi shaped the man he became. A 1979 graduate of Biloxi High School, he earned a full athletic scholarship in football at both Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College and Nicholls State University. He later attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree as a Dean’s List Scholar. For nearly four decades, Alan built an extraordinary career at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, rising from sales representative to Associate Director of Regional Markets. A multiple national award winner, he excelled in specialty and acute care GPOs, contract negotiations, and strategic account management. He took great pride in mentoring dozens of colleagues who became lifelong friends, guiding them with wisdom and generosity. Yet, for all his professional success, what mattered most to Alan—always—was his family. Above everything, Alan adored his wife Lisa, the absolute center of his world. His nieces and nephews were his greatest joy; to them he was lovingly known as “Parrain” or “Ponny,” their devoted uncle and biggest cheerleader. Alan truly loved life: the gym workouts that kept him strong, the golf rounds at Windance Country Club, the fierce pool volleyball and beach days at the annual Barhonovich reunion in Miramar Beach, Florida, the fishing trips with Bubba and the crew, and staying on top of every sport so he could talk it with anyone, anytime. But nothing lit him up like family time. What made Alan irreplaceable was his rare gift for making whoever he was talking to feel like the most important person on earth—his quiet strength, quick wit, and genuine heart left everyone he met feeling seen and valued. 

Alan was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Ethel Picard; his brother, Ricky Picard; great-niece, Jennifer McFarland; great-nephew, Wyatt Picard; and father-in-law, Peter M. Barhonovich, Sr.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 39 years, Lisa Barhonovich Picard; his siblings, Kathy (Jimmy) McFarland of Elgin, SC, John (Olga) Picard of Pensacola, FL, Steve (Mary) Picard of Gulfport, David Picard of Biloxi, and Lynette (Billy) Clayton of Savannah, GA; sister-in-law, Cindy Picard of D’Iberville; mother-in-law, Annette M. Barhonovich of Biloxi; brother-in-law, Marc (Lori) Barhonovich of Lutz, FL; sister-in-law, Ann (Ricky) Mathews of Biloxi; brother-in-law, Peter (Jennifer) Barhonovich of Gulfport; and a large and loving extended family of nieces, nephews, godchildren, and friends who will carry his light forward.

Lisa wishes to express profound gratitude to Dr. Reza Motakhaveri, Dorothy Dunning, and the compassionate team at Saads Healthcare for the exceptional care they provided Alan in his final days.

Visitation will be held Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church in Biloxi, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. A gathering will follow at the Slavonian Lodge. A private burial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the St. Michael Bereavement Committee.

Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the Picard family.