Howard L. McFadden Jr.

Howard Laurie McFadden, age 83, passed away peacefully April 1, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. Howard was born July 2, 1927 at Flatbush Hospital in Brooklyn NY to Howard and Ethel (Hammon) McFadden, the youngest of three boys. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the US Navy during WWII and served on the Samar Island in the Philippines during the battle of Leyte Gulf. After serving for 2 years he enrolled at Hofstra College in Hempstead, NY. In 1948-49 he attended the National Academy of Broadcasting in Washington DC then he continued on to Minneapolis to attend Twin Cities Television Lab and was the Assistant to the Director of an Equity Theater Company where he was able to express his love of theater.

He met and married the love of his life, Shirley Robinson, an actress in one of the company's plays on May 28th 1950. They had three children, Steven, Stewart and Leslie. Later he worked for Winters Associates, and is where he developed an animation process and produced the pilots for Howdy Doody for NBC, in the early 50's. Howard moved on to run NBC's owned stations in Philadelphia and then was appointed National Sales Manager of WNBC radio in NYC. After a few years he was able to realize a dream and the family moved to Colorado where he and Shirley opened an alcohol and drug treatment facility in Green Mountain Falls on November 7, 1971 and named it The Ark.

Howard was a passionate man when it came to his God, his family whom he loved dearly and his two grandchildren, Brian and Tess, who were very special to him. He was a man of subtle humor and wit. He had many hobbies and interests over the years, including golf (a member of the Broadmoor Golf Club), traveling, reading and most importantly working in the 12 step program of AA. He will be sorely missed by all.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 1515 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs 80903.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions in Howard McFadden's name to the Memorial Fund of First Lutheran Church or your local AA Group.

Arrangements under the direction of Swan-Law Funeral Directors, Colorado Springs, CO.