H. G. Howard's Obituary
H.G. Howard of Rockwall, Texas, formerly of Dallas, TX, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 5th, 2010. HG was born on September 8, 1919, in Post, Texas to Ida Pearl Gollehon Howard and Henry Grady Howard. He was a 1936 graduate of Pleasanton High School, and graduated from Texas A&M in 1940 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He entered the Army in 1942 as a 2nd Lieutenant and served in Germany and France during WWII. He was wounded in Germany on April 19th, 1945 and received a Purple Heart, just two weeks before the end of the war. He also received a Bronze Star for his bravery in action, and he was a Major when he was discharged in 1945. He began his working career with the City of Lubbock, Texas. He then went to work for Hunter Engineering in Dallas, TX, where he was the President, until he retired in 1985. On February 14th, 1944, he married Lois Courcier, who preceded him in death in 1978. On January 4th, 1980, he married his current wife, Patsy Hurst Howard. They travelled the world, with some of their more memorable trips being their trip to China and their retracing HG’s travels in the war. They travelled throughout the US, but they particularly loved going to Branson, MO, Red River, NM, and to the Texas Valley. And HG was so thrilled and grateful when Ed and Cindy took he and Pat a few years ago to Washington, DC to see the World War II memorial. They also loved traveling in their RV with the Dolphin RV Club and went on nine cruises. In addition, they were avid square dancers and were members of the Wheel and Deal Square Dance Club. HG was also a member of the Masons. They were former members of Wilshire Baptist Church, Dallas, where HG was a deacon. They then joined St. Philips United Methodist Church in Garland, TX where they were members of the Saints and Sinners Class. They enjoyed volunteering in many groups at the church and visiting people that were sick. In 1978, HGs wife Lois passed away. He was just 59, so the Good Lord blessed him again and soon thereafter brought into his life Patsy Howard. They met at a square dance and he said the moment he laid eyes on her he knew she was the one for him. In January 1980 they were married. Along with a new wife he acquired two step-children, Christi, who was going to college, and Ed, who was married to Cindy with a young son, Jason and soon-to-be born daughter, Jamie. He would love they every bit as much as his own children, grand-children, and in-laws and they would reciprocate with their love. Pat and HG both continued to work, Pat at Blue Cross, HG at Hunter for a few years until their retirement. They loved to square dance, they loved to travel and loved to enjoy games and outings with their friends. More than anything they enjoyed their families and with Christi’s marriage and her giving birth to three fine young sons, it kept them quite busy. H.G. Howard was an extraordinary, magnificent man and an influence on all who have ever known him. He didn’t smoke, he didn’t drink, and he a very strong sense of “doing the right thing”. He was a fabulous, loving husband, father, step-father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He was a little league couch, a scout leader, a church deacon, a church officer, a square dance club and RV club officer. He was a man who rose from humble beginnings to achieve great success, a man who made a difference in millions of lives, a war hero and a man of God. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Lois, and his daughter Sandra Ward. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 31 years, Patsy Howard; a son, John Howard and his wife, Susan; sister, Bonnie Lou Brooks; Step-children, Ed Hurst and his wife, Cindy, and Christi Becker, and her husband, Randy; Grandchildren, Bryan Ward and wife Daon, Christy Strahan and husband, Jim; Kristen Rees and her husband, Brandon, Kelly Howard, Jason Hurst, Jamie Hurst, Jaymes Becker, Cody Becker, and Caleb Becker; and Great-Grandchildren, Andrew Strahan, Nathan Strahan, Kara Hurst, and Molly Ward. Visitation will be from 5-7PM Sunday November 7, 2010 at Restland Funeral home. Memorial Service will be at 12:30PM Monday November 8, 2010 at Restland Wildwood Chapel, following a private graveside service.
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