Donald Howard

Donald “Don” Howard, 71, of Loma Linda, California, passed away peacefully on January 8,

2026, surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with metastasized colon cancer.

Don was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. A

gentle and quiet soul, he found his greatest joy in the company of his family. One of his

proudest roles was coaching his grandchildren’s basketball teams. As a volunteer coach,

he poured his heart into the kids he mentored, touching the lives of countless young

players and their families through his patience, dedication, and genuine care for their

well-being.

Born on November 13, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois, Don was the son of David and Lillian

(Brown) Howard. He grew up in Chicago, where he met the love of his life, Cassandra Orr.

They began dating as teenagers, and their bond only deepened with time. They married in

the Winter of 1975 and, after visiting relatives in California, felt called to build their future

there. Before the birth of their second daughter, they packed up their belongings and

moved to Los Angeles. A few years later, after welcoming their third daughter, they settled

in Loma Linda, where they purchased a home and continued raising their family.

Don had a natural talent for fixing things and took pride in tackling DIY projects around the

house. He often traveled back to Chicago to help his parents with repairs, always happy to

lend a hand. As a mechanic, he loved taking things apart just to put them back together

again. Yet nothing brought him more joy than teaching his grandson to fish, coaching his

grandchildren on the basketball court, and cheering on his beloved Los Angeles Lakers.

After retiring in April 2020, Don looked forward to volunteering, fishing often, and spending

as much time as possible with his family. But only a few months later, in August 2020, he

began experiencing symptoms that led to a life-changing diagnosis. The years that followed

were di􀆯icult, but they were also filled with grace, love, and treasured moments. His family

is profoundly grateful for every extra day the Lord allowed them to share with him.

Though Don is no longer with us, his memory lives on in the stories, photos, videos, and the

countless lives he touched.

Don is survived by his beloved wife, Cassandra; his daughters, Chandra and Tamika; and

his grandchildren, Tahlia, Chaelyn, and Zhayne. He is also survived by four sisters, two

brothers, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, David

and Lillian, his daughter Katrina, and by his sister, Gaynelle Jones.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages everyone to prioritize their health and schedule

colonoscopy screenings as recommended.