Robert Howard Foote

Howard is survived in life by his wife Virginia Hall Foote, his brother Bill Foote (Terry) and sister Carrie Bruce. His children Douglas Foote, Kelley Foote Largin (Butch), Tracy Foote Rouse (Greg) and Thomas Eddie Hall (Angie). Grandsons Kyle Largin, Christopher Godber and great grandsons Blake and Liam Godber. Also, numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Howard also known as “Big H” was born in Birmingham, Alabama on January 25, 1926. He grew up in Tarrant, Alabama and called himself “Just A Good Ole Ketona Boy”, and indeed he was. Howard graduated from Jefferson County High School in 1944 he was then drafted into World War II. He participated at the end of the War from June 12, 1944 to June 13, 1946. He was in the United States Navy. He was in boot camp at Camp Perry, Virginia. In September of 1944 he went to Oakland California to begin active duty. After that he was sent to the Pacific theatre and was stationed in Leyte in the Philippines. While there he played on a Naval Baseball team. While playing in Manila he pitched to Joe Garagiola. His job was the Work Force-U.S. Mail Service. Rank at discharge was a MAM-3/C. When he got back to Tarrant he told of a story that his neighbor James Bryant took him home to the “Hollar” in his 1937 Chevrolet. Gussie his mom was cleaning out mops in the spring by their house and he slipped up behind her and said, “Hello Gussie”, she threw the mops up in the air and hugged him!

He was a beneficiary of the GI Bill and was able to go to college in 1948. Graduating with a B.S. degree in Chemistry, B.S. in Pharmacy and a Masters degree in Physical Education. He attended Howard College now Samford University and George Peabody College for Teachers touching many lives along the way.

Howard loved to talk about sports having been a Head coach at Tarrant High School and Howard College (Samford) and Assistant Coach at Austin Peay University in Clarksville, Tennessee. He said one time when talking about football and how about 5 years ago they would say “He got Jacked up”…he laughed and said that in his day if a guy went into a covered medical tent he was a “Sissy”!!

Howard played football at Howard College (Samford) and was a captain of the football team with legendary coach Bobby Bowden.

He also like to play golf at Cumberland Lake Country Club. His brother Gene was part of a foursome when he shot a hole in one on #13.

Howard taught Physical Education and was certified to teach Science, Social Studies, Health and Physical Education, English and German in High School levels in the 1950’s.

He was in the Rho Chi Honor Society for Pharmacy which is the highest honor for Pharmacy Students. The only male student in Rho Chi that year of four students in 1964.

Howard was given the Samford University Lifetime Service Recognition Award for his military service, his athletic career at Howard College, coaching and his role in the Samford School of Pharmacy. Also on June 14, 2017 Howard was given a recognition award as an athlete, coach and Pharmacist by the Old Howard/Samford Athletes.

He played football, baseball, basketball, swam and even tried table tennis.

He relief pitched in all 6 games when they won the National Championship on the Stockham Valves Amateur baseball team in 1948-49 in Battle Creek, Michigan. This was the old industrial league in Birmingham which was thought to be as good as a AA minor league baseball team.

Howard was a teacher and mentor of many people.

Howard’s working career in pharmacy started at Hall’s Drugs, then Eckerd and part time at pharmacy’s in Hueytown and Pell City and most recently York’s Pharmacy in North Birmingham. He was a registered Pharmacist for 56 years. On February 14, 2014 The Alabama State Board of Pharmacy Awarded Howard with a Certificate of Achievement for Accomplishing 50 Years as a Licensed Pharmacist.

Howard is preceded in death by his parents Talmadge and Gussie Coupland Foote and his brother Gene Foote and wife Laura and brother-in-law Charles Bruce.

Special thanks to Con Cierge Care. Benita Fay, Henrietta Rush and Collette Scott for taking care of Howard and Virginia.

Howard and Virginia were members of Riverchase United Methodist Church. They were part of the Seekers Sunday School Class for many years.

On a personal note as a family we will dearly miss our husband, father, family member and friend to so many. We will miss his wit, great attitude, wisdom, talkative nature and friendship.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate Howard’s life and rich legacy at The Memorial Service which will be held at Ridout’s Trussville Chapel on Wednesday August 16, 2023. Visitation will be 10-11am and celebration of life at 11am followed by a Military Honor Funeral at Forest Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Riverchase United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice in his name.