Howard Lee Mai

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing

--2 Timothy 4:7-8

On the evening of January 19, 2026, following a brief illness, Howard Mai slipped peacefully from the bonds of earth to his eternal heavenly home. After more than 92 years of faithfully serving God, his family and friends, and his country, Howard was ready to go. Although he will be greatly missed, we are grateful that he was able to die on his own terms, as he had lived his life with integrity, resilience, optimism, caring and compassion for others, and an amazing sense of humor.

Howard Lee Mai was born at home in WaKeeney, Kansas, on August 8, 1933, to William and Amelia Flagler Mai. He was the youngest of five children. He earned letters in multiple sports and graduated from Trego County High School in 1951. As a teenager, he worked for his father at William Mai Oil Company and the Phillips 66 station in WaKeeney. While in high school, a pretty young woman named Charlotte Boxberger stole his heart; it was the beginning of a love story that would last for more than seven decades. Howard attended Fort Hayes State College on a football scholarship, where he played guard; although never a starter, he was the President of the Letterman’s Club. He earned a bachelor’s degree in History and Physical Education and taught high school Social Studies for two years in Russell and Stockton, Kansas. He was also the assistant coach for football, basketball, and track.

Howard and Charlotte were married at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in WaKeeney on August 15, 1954. He was drafted into the Army in 1957, and after taking aptitude tests he was invited to join the counter-intelligence unit. He and Charlotte spent six months in Maryland while he received training as a secret agent. Howard held a “Top Secret” security clearance from the U.S. government for the next three decades. While he was unable to tell us everything that he did, one of his major duties was performing background checks on personnel who were assigned to work on the Titan Intercontinental Missile Program during the Cold War. Howard was stationed in Dallas, Texas, and on August 25, 1959, he and Charlotte welcomed their baby daughter, Janet Lorraine Mai.

Following his honorable discharge in 1960, the young family moved to Lakewood, Colorado. Howard spent the next 26 years in the field of Industrial Security, including 20 years at the University of Denver in their Research Institute, and two stints at Martin Marietta Corporation. Howard’s leadership skills were recognized when he was elected President of the American Society for Industrial Security and served in 1973-74.

Howard’s leadership was also appreciated when he served on the Board of Directors of several charitable organizations. Inspired by his daughter, Janet, who had Down Syndrome, Howard viewed her developmental disability not as a burden, but as a blessing and an opportunity to serve. He was named to the Colorado Governor’s Developmental Disabilities Council from 1978 to 1983. He was also the President of the Board of Directors of the Jefferson County Community Center for Developmental Disabilities and the Center Foundation from 1977 to 1986. He took on a new role in Fundraising and Community Relations for that organization for the following four years and then served on the Board of Directors for the Colorado Association of Fundraisers for three years. Howard also enjoyed investing in real estate and rental properties throughout the years.

Howard and Janet had a very special relationship. Howard had endless patience and found so much joy in spending time with Janet. They cheered for the Denver Broncos in good years and bad, and they enjoyed occasional outings to watch the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. They were often found just relaxing or watching TV together, and Howard commented frequently that his and Charlotte’s time together with Janet was a special blessing in their lives.

Howard and Charlotte enjoyed spending time at their condominium on Lake Dillon and appreciated the beautiful Colorado scenery from the balcony there. Following Charlotte’s retirement, they delighted in the “snowbird” life at a condominium in Mesa, Arizona, and then bought a second home in Gold Canyon, Arizona. Howard’s sister and brother-in-law, Edith and Walter Mabry from Washington state, were also in Arizona during the winter months and they spent many happy hours (and many “Happy Hours!”) together.

Howard and Charlotte were strong supporters of many charitable organizations, including the Denver Developmental Resource Council (DDRC), the Jeffco Action Center, Humane Colorado (formerly the Denver Dumb Friends League), Lutheran Family Services, and Habitat for Humanity. They sponsored orphaned children in Africa and Eastern Europe for several years and enjoyed corresponding with them on a regular basis. They were members of Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lakewood, and Howard purchased a new organ for the congregation last year in memory of Charlotte.

Howard and Charlotte moved into a long-term care facility shortly before Charlotte died in 2023. They had been together for 74 years. After Janet died in 2024, Howard moved to a different assisted living facility a few months later. He was a favorite of the staff at the care facilities because he remembered not only their names, but the names of their children and details of all of their lives, which he inquired about often. He enjoyed the amenities and friends at the facilities, but after recently battling influenza, he was tired and weak and did not feel well. During the last couple of weeks of his life, he told us repeatedly that he was ready to rejoin his beloved wife and daughter in eternity together. He had a strong and solid faith and was confident and eager for his heavenly journey, and so we bid him farewell with joyful hearts, knowing that he has left an amazing legacy from which we will draw strength and comfort.

Howard was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Charlotte Lillian Mai; his daughter, Janet Lorraine Mai; his siblings and their spouses: Emil (Sam) and Patty Mai, Clarence Mai, Edith and Walter Mabry, and LeRoy and Myrna Mai. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Betty Mai, many nieces and nephews, and extended family and friends.

A graveside service will be held at the WaKeeney City Cemetery in WaKeeney, Kansas, on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 11:00 AM, followed by a light lunch and time for sharing stories and memories at the Community Room in the Western Electric building, 635 S. 13th St. in WaKeeney. A memorial service at Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lakewood, Colorado, is also being planned, with the date to be announced soon.