For over 50 years, Dr. Howe dedicated his life to the practice of medicine, touching thousands of lives with his knowledge, compassion, and unwavering commitment to healing. To his patients, he was more than a doctor — he was a steady hand in moments of uncertainty, a source of comfort in times of illness, and a listener who made time even when there was none to spare.
Born in San Francisco, California to Donald and Ernestine Howe, Dr. Howe earned his medical degree from University of California San Francisco in 1976 and specialized in family medicine. He practiced out of Modesto, Ca and Turlock, Ca for nearly 50 years as a family medicine doctor and was affiliated with Emanuel Medical Center and Adventist Health Sonora. Those who knew him would say that his patients gave him purpose, so when he retired it was begrudging as he would have preferred to keep serving families.
Dr. Howe is survived by his children Patricia Petersen, Dorothy Clayton, Larry Howe, and Jean Kent, and his siblings Homer Howe, Miles Howe, Alan Howe, Evan Howe and Donna Howe.
He was preceded in death by his wife Maria Zelia Howe, his father Donald Howe, his mother Mary Howe, his brothers Ernest Howe and Theodore Howe, and his sister Cornelia Hopkins.
A visitation for Donald will be held Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Service, 286 West Main, Turlock, CA 95380 and his funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM at the same location. A committal service will be directly following at North Hilmar Cemetery, 8710 Tegner Rd, Hilmar, CA 95324.
His legacy lives on in the hearts he healed, the lives he guided, and the purpose he found in service.
