Donald Lee Howard

Donald Lee Howard was born to Roy and Irene Howard on July 4, 1930 in St. Francis, Kansas.  He died on February 27, 2012 in Wray, Colorado.

Don served in the Navy from 1948 – 1951. Upon his return to the area he worked as a butcher for several years. He purchased the Wray Garden Center from his parents in 1965. Don ran the greenhouse and also spent many years putting in sprinkler systems.

In 1970, Don married Geraldine Parker. Don and Jerry loved camping and fishing in the Red Feathers Lake area. They were frequently joined by their children and grandchildren. He loved spending time with his family telling stories and playing games/pranks. His hobbies included making minature knives and collecting and working with rocks. Don never met a stranger. He always had time to chat and to get to know people.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Geraldine, and children – Ron Parker, Otis; Jack (Karla) Parker, Wray; Connie (Bryan) Francone, Weldona; Don Howard, Jr., Farmington, New Mexico; Sheryl Parker, Scottsbluff, Nebraska; Bob (Cheryl) Howard, Excelsior Springs, Missouri; Linda (Gary) Wingard, Willow Park, Texas; Elizabeth (Stan) Thompson, Platner and Tony (Tammy) Howard, St. Francis, Kansas; 30 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Ray (Inge) Howard, three sisters, Marion Crites, Orpha Brown and Wanda Jacobson all of Wray. He was preceded in death by his son, Clifford Eugene Howard, a granddaughter, Sara Kay Howard, his parents, Roy and Irene Howard and two brothers, Clarence Howard and Merlin Howard.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Plains, P.O. Box 365, Wray, Colorado 80758. Memorial services were held Friday, March 2, 2012 at New Life Fellowship Church in Eckley, Colorado. Inurnment was held in the Grandview Cemetery in Wray, Colorado. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.