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Howard Brumley Obituary

Harold Wayne Brumley, M.D. Harold Wayne Brumley, M.D. passed away peacefully on January 31, 2012 surrounded by family. Born in Memphis, Texas in 1932 to Raymond and Florence Brumley, Harold grew up in Austin, graduating from Austin High and the University of Texas. In 1953, he married Marilyn Lyles and began a fifty year long medical career. Dr. Brumley went to the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston before doing his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Kansas City General Hospital. In 1962, he returned to Austin where he practiced medicine for the next 46 years, and along with Marilyn, raised their four children in a loving, adventurous home until her death in 1995. During his years in practice, Dr. Brumley delivered a good part of an entire generation of new Austinites into the world while providing cutting edge and compassionate care for his patients. Later in his career he devoted his practice to helping women with fertility problems, becoming a leading pioneer in an emerging field that included in vitro fertilization, a procedure which at that time was in its infancy. He was one of the first gynecologists in Central Texas to utilize laser surgery and in-office ultrasound technology and helped introduce both into common use in Austin. He was active in leadership roles in area hospitals, the American Cancer Society, the Travis County Medical Society and its Blood Center during its early years. He volunteered countless hours helping indigent women in his office and at clinics and hospitals around Austin and in training a new generation of doctors. Dr. Brumley adapted his skills from human reproductive and fertility medicine to help pioneer genetic and reproductive techniques with cattle and deer and served as a consultant to the U.T. Marine Science Institute on projects looking at reproduction in fish during his many years as an avid hunter, fisherman, rancher and outdoorsman. In the late 1970's, Dr. Brumley looked at an obscure, thickly overgrown corner of Lion's Municipal Golf Course and turned it into a vision that became West Austin Youth Association. For several years he begged, borrowed and encouraged much of West Austin, as well as U.T. and city officials, into making his vision come true - sometimes being found on a bulldozer between surgical cases or in the dead of night trying to clear the raw parcel of land himself if a workman failed to do it fast enough during the day. Since it opened, WAYA has served countless Austin youths, giving them and their families a place to play and congregate in a positive way. In 1999, Harold married Kay Willis Smith and entered a new phase in his life. The two of them spent those last few happy years enjoying friends, their ranch and travelling until he was no longer able to do so due to Alzheimer's. Harold was a member of First Baptist Church for many years. Later in his life he joined Tarrytown United Methodist Church. Harold will be remembered for his generosity, playful sense of humor, hospitality and energy that endeared him to patients, family, his childrens' friends and an amazing group of friends and colleagues by whom he was beloved. Many will remember his mischievous, ready smile and the twinkle in his blue eyes. We are blessed to have known this kind man who dreamed big, lived big and kept smiling. Dr. Brumley was preceded in death by Marilyn Lyles Brumley and his parents Raymond and Florence Brumley. He is survived by his wife Kay Willis Brumley, his brothers Carl Brumley and his wife Mary Alice, Jon Brumley and his wife Becky. He is also survived by his children Maryann Brumley Sayers and her husband Brian, Bonnie Brumley, Jill Brumley and Wayne Brumley and his wife Tiffany, and his eleven grandchildren, Christopher Sayers and wife Emily, Anna Sayers Balthazar, and husband Matt, Mary Claire Sayers, Jennifer Carter, Lyles Carter, Callie Pool, David Pool, Buddy Brumley, Ellie Brumley, Wren Brumley and Mary Morgan Brumley. A big part of Harold's life was his children and grandchildren. He loved taking each grandchild on a special trip during their jr. high days. The values he instilled in the grandchildren were education, love for family and participation in the community. Please join the Brumley Family for a casual toast to Dr. Brumley at 6:00 p.m. on Brumley Field at WAYA, Thursday, Feb 2nd. A celebration of his life will be held at Tarrytown United Methodist Church on Friday, February 3rd at 1:30 p.m., following a private family burial. The pallbearers will include Chris Sayers, David Pool, Lyles Carter, Buddy Brumley, Matt Balthazar and Craig Pool. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to West Austin Youth Association, 1314 Exposition Blvd, Austin, TX 78703. www.waya.org/donate Obituary and memorial guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Austin American-Statesman from Feb. 2 to Feb. 3, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
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Marsha Ayers

February 10, 2012

My condolences to the Dr. Brumley's family and friends. I was a patient of Dr. Brumley's. I had a fibroid tumor and he performed surgery to remove it. I was young (23) and he wanted me to be able to have children. I did finally get pregnant and had the baby early. Dr. Jones had to deliver him and I had to have more surgery later by Dr. Brumley. We survived and my son is 34 years old now. Yes, I remember the whistling and his smile. He was a character and very sharp.
Marsha Ayers

Philip Henderson

February 3, 2012

Dr. Brumley and I shared a love for Longhorn sports. My wife worked with Dr. Brumley and I had the opportunity be be around him in social situations. I was always impressed with his outgoing and caring personality. He will be greatly missed.

February 3, 2012

Dr Brumley was loved by his patients as much as he was by the medical staff of AAOBGYN and the hospital.

Everyone talked about his brilliant mind, kindness and sense of humor.

When he talked about his family, you could feel his love and devotion to everyone of them.

I am forever grateful to have had the pleasure to meet such a wonderful gentleman.

Joelle Franklin

St. David's IVF Team (early years)

Marilyn Henderson

February 3, 2012

Marilyn Henderson

February 3, 2012

Dr. Brumley was a "one of a kind" that the world needs more of. I had the wonderful opportunity of working as an office nurse for him in the late 1970s and then later, I worked with him in the St. David's IVF program. Dr. Brumley taught me to scrub and assist in surgery. He refused to remove his wedding ring to scrub for surgery and he was able to get away with it! Despite his delightful sense of humor, he always showed me the utmost respect and always referred to me as Mrs. Henderson. I look forward to seeing him in Heaven.

February 3, 2012

Mary Ann, Bonnie, Jill, and Wayne- I'm so sorry to hear of your daddy's death. I will always remember fun times at your house growing up. Please know that I am thinking of you. With love, Lee Tooke Case.

Tricia Johnson, RN

February 2, 2012

It was an honor and a privilege to have known and worked with Dr. Brumley. We all learned so much from him. He will forever be "The Professor" to me. That was Dr. Phillips nickname for him; which is such a fitting tribute to someone who so graciously shared his knowledge and expertise. I will personally miss his humor; his ever present smile; and the twinkle in his eye. God bless you Dr. Brumley.

Mary Flores

February 2, 2012

I remember Dr Brumley from the days at the old Seton Hospital where he delivered lots of babies, and I assisted him in delivering them, oh yes he did indeed loved to whistle Christmas songs in the middle of a hot summer day, I would roll my eyes at him and he would crack up laughing. I will miss him dearly, he was a great doctor and a great human being.

February 2, 2012

Dr. Brumley delivered me and was my first and only obgyn until he semiretired and I was passed on to Dr. Cowan (whom Dr. Brumley delivered as well). I will always remember that he whistled Christmas tunes in the middle of July. He had a wonderful beside manner. Thank you Dr. Brumley. My son has played ball on the WAYA fields so thank you so much for being responsible for those as well. My thoughts and prayers to your family.

Pat Wilson

February 2, 2012

I was so sorry to hear of Dr brumley passing.Dr Brumley was very dear to me when he and my father were still in medical school Dr Brumley taught me how to play with a jack in the box.I remember times of going to the ranch and branding his cattle.I am so sorry for the family and your time of your loss.You are in my prayers. Love,Pat Wilson

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