Hal was born on May 13, 1953, in Chattanooga to the late William Harold and Jimmie Ruth Howard. He was a graduate of Chattanooga City High School, and later attended Nashville Auto Diesel College, where he trained as a mechanic.
In 1984, Hal married the love of his life, Barbara Cope, and together they shared over four decades of laughter and love.
Hal began his career in the textile industry and later transitioned into banking, retiring after many years as a loan officer with Berkshire Hathaway.
Known for his easy smile and his gift of never meeting a stranger, Hal lived life to the fullest. He was lifelong friends with Bill Kennedy and they shared in many adventures together. A regular at Sweeneys BBQ on Hwy 58, Hal was a beloved fixture and had too many friends to name.
Hal loved golf and spent 15 years as a member of Battlefield Golf and Country Club—he’d play in any weather. A Harley-Davidson enthusiast, he also enjoyed Summer Nights at the Nightfall concert series, following NASCAR and cheering for his beloved Tennessee Volunteers. Hal loved local sports as well, serving as president of the East Chattanooga Softball League and playing first base in his church softball league.
Hal is preceded in death by his parents, William Harold and Jimmie Ruth Howard, and brother-in-law Stan Hales.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara (Cope) Howard; son and daughter-in-law, Jeremy and Jessica Dial; granddaughter, Lucy Dial; sister, Carol Hales and nieces Shannon (Ryan) Roark and Kristin (Seth) Roberts and great-nieces and nephew.
A graveside service will be held at Hamilton Memorial Gardens (5351 TN-153, Hixson, TN) at 1 :00 p.m. EST on Thursday, October 16, with visitation at Chattanooga Funeral Home North Chapel (5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN) from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com
The arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
