Howard Eugene Whittaker

Born: November 14, 1934, in Saskatchewan, Canada, to Spurgeon Fletcher and Frances Ann Whittaker.

Howard was 1 of 12 children, 10 boys and 2 girls (of which he was the 11th child).

Howard married Mary Jane on Sept 19, 1957, and they were married 50 years until her death in 2008.

Howard and Mary Jane raised 8 children, 7 girls and 1 boy. Roberta (deceased), Rebecca, Ramona, Ruth, Ronald, Elizabeth, Hazel and Helen.

In addition, Howard has 22 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren and 18 great-great grandchildren. He loved all the kids and holding and caring for all the babies. As you can tell getting the family together was a very big deal. All these kids are going to miss their Grandpa!

Howard headed south to Portland Oregon after leaving Canada and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was in the Marines for 4 years as an aircraft and helicopter mechanic. He moved to Garden Grove after returning from Japan/Korea where he was stationed for 18 months. Howard met Mary Jane in 1957. They lived mostly in Garden Grove but did spend several years in Grants Pass, Oregon. During their life together Howard & Mary Jane ran several successful businesses (gas stations, automotive center, mortuary, trellis manufacturing company and owned real estate). While living in Grants Pass they started a vineyard. He also had several patents for grape trellis/technology.

Howard could tear anything apart, fix it and put it back together again. He loved restoring classic cars. He was very involved in volunteering in the community and also with the Garden Grove Elks for more than 60 years. Most recently Howard was the Senior King of the Strawberry Festival for 2023. Also he was enjoying making jewelry with natural stones. He was an entrepreneur and an amazing businessman. He loved playing cards and gambling (the thrill of victory). He was very driven, very generous, always up for a good challenge and he also could be a tad bit stubborn. He was a very patriotic man and loved his country.

For the past 15 years his best friend has been Cathy Van Bruggen. They liked to go out to eat, be with their friends from the Elks Lodge, Sunday afternoon barbeques, take the motor home out on an adventure (although they haven’t been able to do much of that lately) and also spend time with both of their families.

But most importantly, Howard was a great man and he loved his family and friends. Not only his kids and grandkids but all his nephews, nieces and anyone else who wanted to be part of his big extended family. He was very proud of his family. If you were his friend, it was for life! Howard will be truly missed by all his family and friends. Loving memories last forever.

Howard passed away peacefully on August 10, 2023, at the age of 88 at his home in Garden Grove, CA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Semper Fi & America’s Fund (For our combat wounded, ill and injured) 825 College Blvd.-Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057