Howard Clyde Smith Jr.

Howard C. Smith, Jr. (Howard) died from heart-related problems early on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in the emergency room of Advent Hospital in Shawnee with his wife Corrine O. Smith (Corrine) by his side as hospital staff struggled unsuccessfully to restart his heart. He was 77 years old.

Howard’s death leaves a tremendous void in the lives of his family. Howard and Corrine were making plans to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in October 2025. Howard died 6 months short of that milestone.

Howard and Corrine loved doing everything together, always looking for fun, laughter and adventure. From the beginning of their relationship they were active in travel and outdoors fun. Howard and Corrine were adventurous and sought exciting activities wherever they went.

One highlight was their hot air balloon named High Anxiety. Howard was the pilot and Corrine drove the chase vehicle. They flew champagne flights locally and competed in regional hot air balloon competitions. It was very much a family affair, with parents, friends and children helping to launch the balloon and pack it up at the end of a flight.

A favorite pastime was spending time on their cabin cruiser, High Spirits, which they kept docked at Stockton Lake in Missouri. It was always a beautiful, peaceful, relaxing time onboard.

Their travels took them throughout the Caribbean on island retreats and cruises; Hawaii, with Maui being a favorite; several road trips West to Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah where they hiked and repelled in Zion national park on their 44th wedding anniversary; several European vacations with one particularly memorable trip driving through Germany, France, and spending a week in Montreux, Switzerland.

One of Howard’s most defining qualities was his remarkable sense of humor. He had a gift for finding the lightness in any situation and bringing a smile to everyone around him. Whether it was pointing out to Corrine—over breakfast on a trip to Utah—that her plaid shirt and red neckerchief made it look like he was dining with Howdy Doody (young people will need to Google it)…or renting a gorilla suit, hiding in the woods and rushing out of the dark to scare friends sitting around a bonfire at night…Howard’s quick wit and fun spirit were ever present. His humor was always uplifting, and left us with beautiful memories and countless stories to smile about.

Howard was a loving and devoted husband and gentleman, always spoiling Corrine. Whether it was cooking her favorite meals, special cards for every occasion, flowers, shopping, going to her favorite restaurants, surprise gifts, he always made her his priority. Protective and kind, he always opened every door for her, held her hand, and told her every day, multiple times a day, how special, beautiful and loved she was. They had a very close relationship and chose to do everything together because that was their happiness.

Corrine says: “Howard was my love and it was complete and encompassing and joyful. I’m grateful for the decades we had, but it’s not enough. We wanted more. I miss him so much. Life forces me to move forward without him. But he’s with me still. I feel him close by, watching over me, and that warms me.”

Howard and Corrine loved animals and throughout their marriage had a number of wonderful cats that enriched their lives. In addition to their cats, they also had some exotic pets. At one point they had two orange-kneed tarantulas, a blue and gold parrot named Carlos, a cockatoo named Amelia, an African gray parrot named Tallgrass, two military macaws (male and female), two California king snakes (the female was albino), and three gerbils. All part of the adventure.

Howard was a graduate of the 1965 class of Ruskin High School. He was very fond of his classmates and always tried to attend reunions and stay in touch online. Corrine enjoyed Howard’s reunions too because she and Howard attended grade school together at Burke and Symington, and she knew some of his classmates. At grade school, Howard and other boys would bring ring necked snakes to school to sell to other kids. Corrine always liked snakes and used her lunch money to buy the snakes that she kept in a glass terrarium at home – until her mother put her foot down and they drove to the country to release them.

Corrine moved from Ruskin Heights the summer after 6th grade and didn’t see Howard again until they met at Fisca Oil Company where they worked. They married October 11, 1975.

Howard was a proud veteran having served in the United States Air Force during Vietnam. Based in Korat Air Force Base, Thailand, he was a Staff Sergeant, serving as Crew Chief for F105s. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in a combat zone.

The majority of Howard’s career was in the oil and gas industry where he was a Vice President of Operations.

Howard was father to three children he adored. They include his son, Howard C. Smith III (Howie), by a previous marriage. And two children from his marriage to Corrine: Lauren O. Zolton (Ren) married to Mark; and Justin H. Smith married to Aleyda.

Howard was close to his sister, Phyllis Cale, and he loved talking with her and spending time with her. He was preceded in death by his father, Howard C. Smith, Sr.; his mother, Lorraine Smith; and his sister, Gwen.

Howard was born May 27, 1947, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Note about the photo of Howard: This was taken during Howard and Corrine’s last cruise in the Caribbean. We chose this because it shows him at his happiest, having fun on vacation.