Cliff Howard

On a raw winter day in rural Weld County, a preschooler burst into his mother’s kitchen. His little sister, just a toddler, had fallen into a deep hole filled with water. The mother rushed to her daughter’s rescue, and disaster was averted.

The boy showed quick thinking, concern for others and maturity beyond his years on that trying day. Those same qualities would be on display many times over the course of his life.

Clifford L. Howard, the boy who saved his sister’s life many years ago, died Jan. 17, 2017, from cancer, at Balfour Senior Living in Lousiville. He was born Dec. 9, 1957, in Greeley, the fifth of seven children raised by William and Ruth Howard of Gill.

While attending Platte Valley High School in Kersey, Cliff nurtured his love for the Spanish language and Latin culture, graduating in 1976. After attending Mesa State College in Grand Junction , Cliff volunteered for the Peace Corps, saying President John F. Kennedy’s call to service had inspired him as a young boy. He trained in Costa Rica and then served in an agricultural development program in the Dominican Republic.

Cliff returned to Colorado after leaving the Peace Corps. He completed his college degree at the University of Colorado in Denver. He worked in business for a few years, and then moved on to an accomplished career in the high tech industry. He started first at Western Electric, a subsidiary of Bell Labs, later at Lucent Technologies, and finally at Avaya. His name is included on two patents.

When a niece had to undergo surgery and lengthy treatment as an infant, Cliff showed his appreciation for her caregivers by logging many volunteer hours at Children’s Hospital in Denver. His subtle kindness was always on display whenever the family got together.

Cliff is survived by his mother, Ruth Howard, of Loveland; brothers Jim (Jan) of Berthoud; Dave of Longmont; John (Cathy) of Grand Island, Nebraska; Tom (Clair) of Billings, Montana; Julie Graboi (Dan) of Encinitas, California; and Mary Turner (Ross) of Montrose; nephews Kenny Howard (Savanna), Tommy Howard, of Denver; David Turner (Natalia) of Greeley; Mitchell Graboi of Encinitas, California, and nieces Emily Turner of Denver and Laura Turner of Montrose. He is preceded in death by his father.

A joint memorial service for Cliff and his mother Ruth will be held at Howe Mortuary on Saturday, June 24th starting at 10:00AM.