Howard bravely lost his battle with cancer on February 10th with his devoted wife by his side. He was born in Coatesville, Pennsylvania on October 31st, 1948. He moved to Arizona in 1962 and graduated from Tempe High School. He served in the army as a weapons specialist. Howard retired with 20 years of service for Salt River Project in sub-station construction and maintenance. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved mining for minerals and making jewelry. Barb and Howard built their retirement home and moved from the valley to beautiful Pine, Arizona in 2020. He loved family reunions, cruising to Alaska, and vacationing on the big island of Hawaii.

Howard is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 49 and a half years Barb, his daughter Michele (Bean) and her husband Jesse, granddaughter Alyssa (Papa's special girl), brother Kurt, sister Kathy and her husband David. Howard has many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces who will dearly miss him. If you were a friend of Howard's, you were his friend for life.

Howard was a quiet man with a wry sense of humor. He faced death with calm bravery.

Since it was his childhood dream to become a cowboy, he will be laid to rest with his black Stetson hat and his boots on February 18th at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.

His last words to his best friend Don were "It's been a good ride."

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the American Cancer Society.

Thanks to the nurses of Hospice of Payson, and special thanks to Banner Home Care to Celeste and Adrienne, his home care angels.