Ray Howard

End of Watch 9 December 2021

Raymond Don Howard (Ray) was born December 11, 1943, in Sunray, Texas, to Allen Isaac Howard and Geneva Vernell Richardson. The family moved to Arizona by 1951, where Ray grew up in Phoenix. Ray passed away Thursday, December 9, 2021 after months of heart complications.

Ray would meet his future wife Sally by the time he was 15, but he joined the Navy in 1960 when he was 17.

In the Navy, Ray worked on the ship’s diesel engines. Ray served three tours in four years to the West Pacific & the Caribbean on the USS Henrico and the USS George Clymer. During his service, he went from engineman to fireman apprentice, eventually becoming a Petty Officer 3rd Class and finally Petty Officer 2nd Class at time of discharge.

Ray then married his teenage sweetheart, Celia “Sally” Quihuis, in 1966, and would adopt her daughter Jewel as his own in 1968.

After Ray joined the Phoenix Police Academy in 1965, he served the Phoenix PD as a Sergeant and Detective. He started as a patrol and motors officer, and successfully carried out multiple roles over the years including Organized Crime, crowd management, Theft/Burglary, Homicide, and Internal Affairs. He was a personal escort for Mother Teresa, dealt with riots in the 60s, and received many commendations. He was featured in the newspaper for his time spent notifying families of the deceased. He received the Officer of the Year award. He literally rescued someone from a burning home. Once Ray retired after 25 years’ service, he went on to lead the largest police investigative unit in the state at the Maricopa County Attorney’s office for 15 years under Rick Romley.

Ray not only served his country, but was also a highly respected community member, serving Maricopa County and Phoenix with pride as a law enforcement official. He was a husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, touching so many lives over the years. His family and friends would come to respect Ray as being a man of strong moral character with a heart of gold. His nephew Sgt Curtis Howard was especially inspired by Ray, who was there for his graduation from the police academy and his promotion to Sergeant. He was always great with children and animals. He helped people every day and had a generous, giving spirit.

Ray is survived by his daughter Jewel (Teri) Howard, brothers Jimmie Howard, Gary (Betty Jo) Howard, brother-in-law Richard (Patty) Quihuis, sisters-in-law Julie (Jeff) Garfield, and Rita Quihuis, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Everyone loved “Uncle Ray.” He truly was our Hero.

Ray was never one for big parties or gatherings. He had enough of crowds from his police days. However, he did enjoy family get-togethers and hunting with his brothers and nephews. Ray also enjoyed golf, bowling, and riding Harleys. The most recent love of his life was his canine companion Hurleigh, a Frenchie-Boston mix who gave as much love as she received from her human dad.

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Sally Quihuis-Howard, brother Lonnie Allen Howard, nephew Hunter Quihuis, brothers-in-law Frank (Lori) and Carlos (Rita) Quihuis, sister-in-law Joan (Jimmie) Howard, dear companion LaVerne DelRae, and numerous members of the law enforcement family.

Ray supported many charities through the years, and if you’d like to make a gesture, the family would appreciate donations in his name to the 100 Club of Arizona.

At the request of the family, services will be private.