Howard Wesley Crosby

Howard "Beef" Crosby, 65, of Tulsa Oklahoma, passed away peacefully Monday,

August 3, 2026, with the love of his life by his side. He was greeted into heaven by his

father Michael Bailey Crosby, Sr. who he deeply missed.

Born February 28, 1961, in Batesville, Arkansas, Howard grew up in Little Rock, where

he graduated from Catholic High School for Boys in 1980. During his high school years,

he was a defensive lineman for the Catholic Rockets football team.

Howard went on to attend Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, graduating in 1985

with a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology and playing on the Wonder Boys Football Team.

It was during a game that he earned his legendary nickname. When coach Steelman

sent him onto the field, the broadcast booth announced, "Okay now the Wonderboy's

are getting serious! Bringing in "The Beef" with number #53 Howard Crosby!"

In the fall of 1985, Howard's brother, Michael, answered a recruitment ad for the Little

Rock Rugby Club (LRRC) and was instantly hooked after his first practice. A few weeks

later, Michael invited Howard to a practice. Howard fell equally in love with the sport and

went on to play for LRRC Rugby for ten years.

Professionally, Howard managed an off-campus college bookstore in Little Rock. While

attending a corporate company meeting in Austin, Texas, he met his future wife, Anna.

They eventually started dating.

After only dating a month, Howard traveled to San Marcos, Texas, to visit Anna during

Spring Break. The day before he was scheduled to return to Little Rock, they spent the

day exploring Fredericksburg. While at dinner the waiter brought over a bottle of

champagne Howard had ordered. The waiter asked if they were celebrating a birthday,

anniversary, or engagement. They looked at each other and said, "Yes - an

engagement." True to their spontaneous spark, they married just eight months later in

November 1994.

In 1996, Howard accepted a position as the bookstore manager for Cowboy Book, an

off-campus bookstore serving Oklahoma State University. While living in Stillwater,

Howard joined the Tulsa Rugby Club. So deep was his dedication to the sport that he

never complained about the 126-mile round trip he drove three times a week for

practices and matches.

In 2000, the Crosby's moved to Tulsa. Driven by his passion for rugby, Howard and

fellow club mates, Jake Swim, Jamie Reichard, co-founded the Parrothead Rugby 7s

annual tournament in 2003 which is a tradition that continues to this day.

After 25 years of playing rugby, Howard finally retired from the sport and hung up his

boots-only to take the field on the greatest rugby pitch of all time.

Howard also grew up with the love of progressive rock music, especially RUSH, as well

as the rock music of the '70s and '80s. He loved attending rock concerts with his friends

and family, and especially his wife, Anna. If his favorite band wasn't playing nearby,

Howard and Anna would often travel to see them in concert. On their trips to Texas to

visit Anna's family, they would pass the time playing music trivia the entire way-a

tradition they both enjoyed.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years, Theresa Anna Crosby of Tulsa,

Oklahoma, his son Haydon Page of Little Rock, his faithful Olde English Bulldogge

Charles "Bubba" Barkley, sweet tabby cat Gizzy Monster, Mother Shelba Avants,

brother Michael Crosby, Jr., sister Rachel Crosby (Phil Roe), brother Chad (Kelly)

Avants, sister Nikki (Brenda) Bittle, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In-laws Guadalupe and Elma Ybarra, "Seesters" Olga Ybarra (Mick Narvaiz), Rebecca

Ybarra, and Patricia (Patrick) Padovano, all of San Marcos, Texas.

Extended family: stepmother Martha Crosby, stepsister Cyndi Lu (Hank) Daniels,

stepbrother Kelly Smith, stepbrother David (Cindy) Collins, Jr., and stepbrother John

(Keli) Collins.

He is preceded in death by his loving father, Michael Bailey Crosby, Sr., stepmother,

Anne Crosby, and stepfather Nick Avants.

Please join us for a celebration of life in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Saturday, August 29, at

The Bellview, 1336, East 15 th Street, 2:00pm. Complimentary valet will be available.

Howard lived his life with passion, humor, adventure, and an unwavering love for the

people and things that mattered most to him. He will be deeply missed and forever

remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him.