Wayne Douglas Howard

Wayne Douglas Howard Wayne Douglas Howard entered this world on June 26, 1945, to Jewel Rannals Griffith in Paris, Texas. He left this world on April 11, 2012, in Huntsville, Texas. He was a loving and supportive husband to Karen Leah for 42 years. He was a stern but caring father to his children: daughter, Karen Ann Buchanan of Houston, Texas, and sons, Sean Patrick and Michael Brian, of Huntsville, Texas. He also was a wonderful big brother to his sister, Kyletta Faye Miller, of Plainview, Texas, and a grandfather to Stephen Buchanan of Houston, Texas. As a young boy, he was turned on to books by an elementary school teacher and developed a voracious appetite for reading. Even into adulthood, you never saw him go anywhere without a book in hand. He was a true blue country boy at heart, who loved the country lifestyle with all the poignant smells of farm and ranch. He loved it so much that he wanted to “box” the smell and sell it, for surely there were others who felt the same way as he. He was never afraid of hard work, as he worked as a ranch hand for many places between Texas and New Mexico. This work ethic served him well throughout his life. He proudly served the United States Air Force as an Air Policeman for four years, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He then served and retired from the United States Navy after 23 years as Chief Master-at Arms. He served on the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier during the Iranian Hostage Crisis and then served on the USS McDonough. Upon retiring, he moved to idyllic Huntsville in 1992 and started working for HISD in Transportation as a bus driver for several years. Later, he briefly worked for TDCJ at the Eastham Unit, until it became too difficult to continue working, due to his multiple health problems. Thereafter, he loved his country living and passed the time either reading, napping, watching Food Network, puttering with his honey-dos, or watching over his passel of various farm animals. He was a good man who did his best, the best way he knew how. He will surely be missed by all those who loved him and who were touched by him. Funeral services with military honors for Mr. Howard will be held at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, Huntsville, Texas on Saturday, April 21, 2012, 10:30 a.m. Family will receive friends Friday, April 20, 2012, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville. Mr. Howard will lie in state Friday, April 20, 2012, from 8:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home. There will be a private burial at a later date. Serving as pallbearers will be his sons, Sean Patrick and Michael Brian; his brothers-in-law, Donald Seyfert and Jerry Weiser of Friendswood, Texas; Rick Zeplin of Pearland, Texas. Memorial donations may be made to: American Heart Association, PO Box 841125, Dallas, and TX 75284-1125 or online at www.heart.org Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.shmfh.com