Allan David Axelrad, MD

Allan David Axelrad, MD, 82, passed away surrounded by the love of his life of 42 years, Carolyn, his children and grandchildren on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, in Houston, Texas. David was born in Houston on May 25, 1943, to the late Jack Harry and Sylvia Axelrad. He was the third of four children. His parents and older brothers, Moise and Sam, preceded him in death. David graduated from San Jacinto High School and attended Vanderbilt University where he was president of his fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi. He attended the University of Houston graduate school, receiving a master's in biology/physiology. He continued his studies at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, graduating magna cum laude in 1970. He was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Medical Society in 1969. He entered his residency for psychiatry at the University of California, Davis and completed the program in 1974. He ultimately received licenses to practice medicine in California and Texas. In 1974, while serving his country, he was appointed chief of one of the inpatient services at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He transferred to Fort Ord, California as Chief of Mental Hygiene and provided medical direction and psychiatric treatment for military personnel suffering post-traumatic stress disorder from service in the Vietnam War. He served in the United States Army Medical Department, achieving the rank of major before being honorably discharged from service to his country. David had a long and distinguished career, receiving board certifications from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, the American Board of Forensic Psychiatry, the American Academy of Pain Management, along with many other prestigious achievements over the course of his long career. He was appointed by the Honorable Jerry Brown, Governor of California, to the Division of Medical Quality of the California Board of Medical Examiners. After his return to Texas, David was also appointed to the Texas Medical Board by the Honorable Ann Richards, where he served with distinction from 1994 to 2000. At the time of his service, he was the only physician privileged to receive appointments to two state medical boards. David held numerous academic and teaching positions during his career, including appointments at the University of California – Davis, Baylor University, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and the University of Houston Law Center, as well as the Houston - Galveston Psychoanalytic Institute. He was a past president of the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians and served as a representative from the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians to the Assembly of the American Psychiatric Association. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians in 2007. In 2021, he was awarded the Spencer Bayles Membership Award by the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians. He also received the John R. Bush Leadership Excellence Award from the Federation of Texas Psychiatry in 2022. He was an emeritus fellow in the American College of Psychiatry. He served in many roles for the National Pain Foundation, ultimately serving as its president. His contributions have been highlighted in multiple publications and textbooks. In addition to his academic, professional, and state regulatory appointments, he served numerous professional societies, often achieving leadership positions, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pain Medicine, the Texas Medical Association, and the American Psychiatric Association, among many others. David’s professional, academic, and charitable work touched the lives of many people struggling with mental health issues and traumatic brain injury. David was committed to helping others using the expertise he acquired through his training and experience impacting many lives for the better. David’s dedication to his career was only matched by the devotion he had for his family. He adored his wife, Carolyn, who was also his childhood sweetheart. Together they raised four children, all of whom cherished him and are so blessed and grateful for his love, his gentle guidance, and his steady, constant presence in each of their lives. He and Carolyn were blessed with seven wonderful grandchildren who brought them so much love and joy. Through their shared love of all things Galveston, Astros baseball, Texans football, years of spring training adventures, and special family traditions, the bond that David created with his family and extended family was his greatest legacy. David was a spiritual man, guided by his faith, his love of Judaism, his belief in G-d, and his unwavering conviction in the goodness of humanity. David is survived by his family, who love him so much and will miss him dearly. He is survived by his beloved wife, Carolyn Freedman Axelrad, and his children, Lauri, Elyse, Jonathan and his wife, Julie, and Erin, and his grandchildren, Ryan, Evan, Ethan, Ari, Max, Morgan and his wife, Lisette, and Eliza. He is also survived by his siblings, Sandra Axelrad Boccara, Charlotte Axelrad, and Buster and Karen Freedman, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, trusted colleagues and lifelong friends who felt like family. David never met a stranger and extended his hand of friendship and love with ease and grace. The family is very grateful for the unparalleled care he received from his physicians and nursing staff at Houston Methodist Hospital and the DaVita Dialysis Center. A graveside service took place on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 2:00 pm at Adath Emeth Cemetery, 1540 Sylvester Road, Houston, Texas 77009. Shiva begins at 5:00 pm on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at Congregation Beth Yeshurun, 4525 Beechnut Street, Houston, Texas 77096, and will continue through the week according to the Chapel schedule. Donations in David's memory may be made to Congregation Shma Koleinu, www.cskhouston.com, Congregation Beth Yeshurun, www.bethyeshurun.org, or a charity of your choice.

Allan David Axelrad, MD

May 25, 1943 - January 13, 2026