Long-time Legislative Advocate for the California Retailers Association, Leslie D. Howe passed away on April 24, 2012. He was born in Brookfield, Missouri, on November 12, 1923 to Faye and Leslie Howe.
In 1941, L.D. graduated from Hannibal High School, a champion high jumper, basketball star and pool shark extraordinaire. He was enrolled at the University of Missouri, Columbia, when World War II interrupted his college career. On December 12, 1942, L.D. enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed at University of California at Berkeley. While in the Navy, L.D. continued to hone his high jumping skills, breaking and setting records. Upon separation from the U.S. Navy in 1946, he served many years as an officer in the Naval Reserves.
L.D. earned a B.S. degree in Public Administration from the University of Missouri in 1947 and the degree of Master of Science in Government Management from the University of Denver. He subsequently had a Fellowship in Governmental Affairs.
In 1948, while doing post graduate work at the University of Denver, L.D. took 1st place in the high jump in the Rocky Mountain Association AAU Track and Field meet. This win qualified L.D. to try out for the 1948 Olympics.
L.D. enjoyed a long and successful career as Vice President, Governmental Affairs, for the California Retailers Association, eventually assuming the position of President of the Association. L.D. was named among the Top 20 Lobbyists by the California Journal, The Monthly Report on State Government and Politics, September, 1974. In the publication, California’s Tax Machine: A History of Taxing and Spending in the Golden State, written by David R. Doerr, second edition, 2008, Les Howe “…played a key role in promoting the exemption [California inventory property tax exemption].”
L.D. previously worked with the California State Chamber of Commerce and California Taxpayers Association.
In 1980 L.D. married his high school sweetheart Virginia in Hannibal, Missouri. Since that time, they have resided in Sacramento. CA. L.D. was an avid tennis player, Elks Club member, President of the University of Missouri Alumni Association-Sacramento chapter, and Cal Chamber member.
L.D. was preceded in death by his mother and father, Faye and Leslie Howe, his sister Marilyn, his aunt Ruth Kispert and his son-in law, Martin Hulse.
He is survived by his loving wife Virginia. His surviving children include: son Steven Howe, daughter Marilyn Hillman and partner Kip Baldwin, and daughter Carol Hulse, all of the Bay Area. His surviving family also includes stepchildren Paul Leverington and Rebecca Crocker, both of Springfield, Missouri. L.D. also enjoyed and is survived by his grandchildren: Charles Scearce of Rapid City, South Dakota, Alex Leverington and partner Kyndra Jones, and Andrew Leverington and partner Erin, all of Springfield, Missouri. He was also blessed with two great granddaughters, Alivia Scearce, of Rapid City, South Dakota and Christina Leverington, Springfield, Missouri.
We honor L. D. Howe on a life well lived and well loved.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18