Howard Eugene Emmons

Howard will be remembered as a warm, generous, and friendly man whose steady presence and quick wit left people feeling lighter than when they arrived. He always broke the tension in the room, could make friends with anyone, was a great listener, and loved his family.

As a child, he’d often save the 10 cent Detroit bus fare and walk to school in order to stop and buy a soda…and so began his fitness journey then finishing his high school career on the school track team, graduating from Cooley High in 1944.

Howard proudly served in the United States Navy at the Panama Canal and Haiti aboard the USS Odum (APD-71). He began his career at the Michigan Central Terminal in Detroit, then at Ford Tractor in Troy as a system analyst, retiring from Ford in 1987.

Howard was always active and loved the outdoors. From weekends on his catamaran to daily jogs, he also participated in many running and bicycle races. His life was marked by remarkable commitment to fitness, fun, and family. At age 67, he embarked on a 3,500-mile journey across America by bicycle from San Francisco to Boston. For his 73rd birthday, he rode a 73-mile bike ride. Even as time crept by, he refused to slow down and won a marathon in his age group at 79.

Howard was generous with his time and treasure. Many of the races and marathons that Howard participated in were to raise money for nonprofits. He enjoyed surprising friends and family with treats and “just because” gifts. He will be very missed because he was well loved.

Howard was preceded in death by his first wife, Geraldine (Miner) Emmons. He is survived by his wife, Jo Anne (Huffman) Emmons. He is also survived by his step-children, Karen (Miner) Hurd (Dale), Linda (Miner) Kleist (Bill), and Julie (Miner) Brennan (Tom), Anthony “Duke” Huffman, Natalie Lynne (Huffman) Daniels, and Doug Huffman (Charlene); his step-grandchildren, Audrey Mehring (Erik), Adam (Kelly), Samuel Hurd, Evan Hurd (Mae), Victoria Hurd, Maegan Ward (Brian), Joel Kleist (Dayna), Matthew Kleist (Kassidy), Erin Wanken (TJ), John Brennan (Kate), Elisabeth Thomas (Philip), Katie Bertola (John), and Joseph Brennan (Kate), Michael Huffman, Nicole Joya, Sydney, Phoebe & Quinn; his great-grandchildren: Wesley, Liam, Verity, Lydia, Orson, Rachel, Paul, William, Barrett, Neva, Mac, Henry, Walter, Fiora, Felicity, Lincoln, Ellamae, Sophie, Annie, Lillie, Clover, Ava, Imogen, Madeline, Lucy, Wolfgang, Linden, Marin, and Brennan.

Memorial Visitation will be held at Pixley Funeral Home, 3530 Auburn Rd., Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326, on April 11, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Memorial Service will follow at Pixley Funeral Home on April 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.