Timothy J. McAughan, DVM

Wrapped in the love of his family, Timothy “Tim” Joseph McAughan, DVM, went peacefully home on February 8, 2026. Born on February 8,1953 at St. Joseph Hospital Houston, Tim was the third child of Bertha Eleanor (Tevis) and Sidney Joseph McAughan and a proud fifth generation Houstonian.

Tim attended Mt. Carmel Catholic School, a local parish school which encouraged his interest in the sciences and math. As a young man, Tim developed an interest in equine care and fostered a lifelong love of animals through work at local stables.

Tim enrolled in Texas A&M University and departed for the university’s then Junction, Texas campus directly after high school. At Texas A&M he was a member of Corp of Cadets in M-1 Army medical company. Tim also proudly participated in the Corp of Cadets special unit, the Parsons Mounted Calvary. A scholarship student, Tim received his doctorate degree in veterinary medicine from Texas A&M in 1978, and was commissioned as a captain in the U.S. Army.

During his active duty in the Army, Tim served at Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan, and Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado. Tim valued his time in Japan and developed an admiration for Japanese culture and cuisine. In 1982, Tim transitioned from Army active to reserve duty and returned to Houston to practice veterinary medicine. In 1990, Tim received an honorable discharge from the U. S. Army. Throughout his life, Tim credited his Army training and service as character-building and impactful.

Tim married his wife of 35 years, Katherine “Kathy” (Bishop) McAughan, in 1990. With family by his side, Tim established and grew two veterinary practices. In vet school Tim envisioned himself working with horses, yet he never practiced equine medicine full time. He often quipped that in his three years in Japan, he did not see a horse as a patient, and it would be best to “stick with what he knew best.” Tim found tremendous satisfaction in the care of the smaller species of dogs and cats.

Without a doubt, Tim loved mentoring veterinarians. As much as he enjoyed healing, perhaps his true calling was as a mentor. He guided many veterinarians and was proud of their success in his practices or wherever they flourished. He celebrated and encouraged entrepreneurship in veterinary medicine and was a founding member of the veterinary peer group, Texas Group One.

Known by many monikers -- Timmy Joe, Schmig, Captain, Babe, Tim and Doc -- he always said his favorite name was Dad. Though Tim accomplished much in his life, he readily, declared his daughter, Hannah Marie McAughan to be his greatest accomplishment. He loved being a father above all things, and was always present for Hannah, cheering her on.

Tim was an outdoorsman. In his spare time, Tim spent many an early morning fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, hoping to catch his family dinner. He learned to snow ski, and the entire family enjoyed vacations throughout the Rockies, until Tim found and fell in love with Whitefish, Montana. Together with Kathy, Hannah and friends, Tim enjoyed many seasons in the beauty and bounty of Montana.

There are many incredible memories that will sustain Tim’s loved ones in this difficult grieving period. He leaves behind Kathy, Hannah, his sister Bertha Louise Butler (McAughan), sister-in-law Maggie and husband Bob Kirkpatrick, nephew Bill and wife Jennifer Gilliam, nephew Mark Gilliam and wife Jennifer, nephew Charlie and wife Margie Butler, niece Beth and husband Dmitry Rozinsky, niece Kathleen Shute, niece Shannon Muehleman, along with generations of cousins and great nephews and nieces. He enjoyed talking to and hugging each one whenever possible.

Tim suffered from a long-term illness. Despite his disability, Tim never lost his faith in our Lord the Saviour and retained his positive outlook on life.

The celebration of Timothy J. McAughan, DVM’s life will take place at 6:00PM on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Jersey Meadow Golf Club Convention Center, 8502 Rio Grand Street, Houston, Texas, 77040. Friends and family may bring their memories to share with all who loved Tim.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in honor of Tim to The Class of ‘78 Endowed Scholarship in Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M Foundation, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 4461 TAMU, College Station, Texas, 77843 (Please designate account 400-35398 in the memo line.); or CCA Texas – Coastal Conservation Association, 6919 Portwest Drive, Suite 100, Houston, Texas, 77024. There is comfort to be found in knowing Tim's legacy lives on through the lessons he taught, the love he shared, and the memories he created.