Tracy Scott Howland

Tracy Scott Howland, age 57, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, passed away on March 18, 2017 from a tragic accident on NW 12th St. in Oklahoma City – working on one of his rental properties. Although he had contracted a crew to do the work, as per Tracy’s MO, he felt he could do it better.

He was born on February 25, 1960 in Oklahoma City to William R. Howland, Sr. and Wanda June Treat. He had three siblings. The oldest, his sister Robin, an older brother William (Bill) and a younger sister, Jamie. He could be described as a very curious, adventurous, and loving child; characteristics that followed him through his life. His first wife, Nancy, was at the age of 18 – as with many first loves, it was short lived. He continued to be an outgoing, gregarious young man.

He later married, at the age of 25, Carla, who became the mother of his two first born children, Aimee, born 1986, and Adam, born 1988. During this period, he moved his family to New Mexico to be near his brother Bill and Bill’s wife Laurie.

In 1994 Tracy married again, finding the true love of his life, Christine Hill, in New Mexico. Along with loving his wife, he became a father to Christine’s daughter, Kirsten Sparacino. In 1998, Tracy’s youngest son, Logan William Howland, was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He lived for a while with his father in Oregon and helped run a river guide service. His love and talent for fishing, followed him through the years.

In New Mexico, within a short period of time, the brothers began in a single van, providing families in Rio Rancho, New Mexico with services for their plumbing, heating and air conditioning needs. This small endeavor grew to become the oldest, largest family owned company in Rio Rancho. Tracy took great pride in teaching his trade to many upstarting young men, who later grew into not only employees, but dearly loved friends. He also was very proud of his licensing as an Electrical Contractor, along with various Master Mechanical licenses.

His passion for life was contagious. He loved motorcycle riding, hunting, camping, boating, fishing…anything that had to do with the great outdoors. Not only was he passionate about these things, he was very good at them and loved sharing this knowledge with others through teaching and exposing them to these experiences.

His smile and laughter would light up any room he walked into! He had a fantastic sense of humor, and truly loved living in the moment. Tracy never met a customer, a pharmacy tech, or even a grocery store clerk that didn’t become his friend. His giant personality was only surpassed by his even larger heart. He loved with all his soul, and had enough love for so many people.

Tracy was a true-blue fighter. At 10, while riding a metal sled, was run over by a truck driven by Curtis Mathis in Oklahoma City. He survived a major motorcycle accident in 1985 in the Jemez Mountains in New Mexico. The biggest fight of all was his diagnosis of cancer in 2004, which he beat in unprecedented speed – having no sign of disease by the Spring of 2015.

Tracy was survived by:

Wife- Christine Howland – Oklahoma City; Daughter, Aimee Howland – Eugene, OR; Son – Adam Howland (wife Susan); grandchildren, Azrael and Aurora Howland – Albuquerque, New Mexico; Daughter – Kirsten Sparacino – Oklahoma City, OK; Son – Logan Howland – Oklahoma City, OK

Brother- William (Bill) R. Howland and wife Laurie Howland, Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Nieces and Nephews:

Christian Lindaurer (wife Amber) of Oklahoma City (daughter Peyton); Leah Howland of Tijeras, NM; Taylor James Howland of Seattle, WA; Noah Howland (wife Nicole Howland); children Eliana and Asher Howland of Albuquerque, NM; April Burkhalter – children: HayLee, Kilie and Jorden of Oklahoma City; Larissa Saylor – children- Jaden, Shelton, Thelma, Ferlando, and Donnel) of Oklahoma City, OK; Katherine Howland of Seattle WA; Chelsey Burkhalter – child, David; Nick Howland of Albuquerque, NM; Serenity Cruz of Albuquerque, NM and Bryan Cruz of Colorado.

Tracy was preceded in Death by:

William R. Howland Sr – father, 2011

Wanda June Treat – mother, 2013

Robin Morrisset – sister, 1991

Jamie Burkhalter – sister, 2004

Three words to sum up Tracy’s life : LOVE – LIVE - LAUGH