Jeff Howard

Flim Jeff Howard, Jr., age 94, resident of the Laurel Court Nursing Home in Alvin, Texas passed from this life to be with his Lord on January 15, 2018. Jeff was born in Corsicana, Texas on November 10, 1923 to Flim Jeff Howard, Sr. and Abigail (Carly) Howard. He was married to the Love of his Life, Edith Valene (Spencer) Howard for sixty-nine years. They were married on July 27, 1946 in Mont Belvieu, Texas. Jeff worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad for 37 years and retired from the railroad in 1984. Before his career with the railroad, he was a Chief Gunner’s Mate in the United States Navy, where he served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Throughout the war, Jeff Howard sailed on several different vessels including the aircraft carriers USS Hornet and USS Boxer. After his Honorable Discharge from the Navy on February 23, 1946, he worked as an iron worker in downtown Houston. Jeff and Edith were long time members of the Westside Church of Christ in Pearland. Jeff had a passion for the Lord’s Church and his Family, along with Edith’s fine cooking. He left behind a Legacy of Strength, Loyalty and Faith to his family and to all whose lives he touched.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Flim Jeff and Abigail Howard, sisters and brothers-in-law, Francell and Hershel Benton and Cleo and Clifton Lovell. He lost his beloved wife, Edith when she went to be with her Lord on June 14, 2015. The Lord called home Jeff’s dear son, Darrell, on January 27, 2017 and his precious daughter, Kathy Chapnick, on May 2, 2017.

Jeff is survived by his brother, Odell Howard, of Leander, Texas, his daughter Sheila Dees and her husband David, his daughter-in-law Sherry Howard, his son-in-law Ronnie Chapnick; grandchildren Bryan Chapnick and his wife Chely, Andrea Howard, Michael Chapnick and his fiancé Kassie Ronning, Jason Howard and his wife Crissy, James Dees, Laura Springer and her husband Jacob; great-grandchildren Tyler Chapnick, Ashley Chapnick, Ian Chapnick, Bethany Chapnick, Haley Howard, Emma Howard and Samantha Howard, as well as many nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters in Christ and friends.

A visitation will be held Friday, January 19, 2018 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Forest Park East Funeral Home. The celebration of Jeff’s life will be Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. at Forest Park East Funeral Home with interment to take place on Thursday, January 25, 2018 at the Veteran’s Memorial National Cemetery in Houston, Texas with full Military Honors.