Lester Leroy Howard was born February 26, 1942 to Forrest Wilson Howard and Mabel Martha Marie Ahrens Howard in a log cabin near Neosho, MO and was delivered by his father who was employed at Camp Crowder. He lived there until his folks moved their family to California, where his dad worked in the shipyards. The family later relocated to Belleville, KS and Lester went to school there until his family moved to Wichita when he was in the third grade. He attended Caldwell Elementary, Curtis Junior High and Southeast High School.
After high school graduation, Les enlisted in the United States Air Force in June of 1960. He flew to San Antonio, TX for 8 weeks of basic training. After completion of basic training, he was assigned to Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, AL., where he worked in Security Police. While stationed in Alabama, Les was set up on a blind date where he was introduced to Judith Dretske on July 3, 1961. Judith, who was also stationed at Maxwell AFB, worked as a Data Processor. After a short courtship, Les and Judith were married at the base chapel on November 3, 1961. They were married for 64 years and 10 months and had three children.
Les proudly served in the United States Air Force for 20 years and retired with the rank of Staff Sergeant. During his time in the Air Force, he was also stationed at different bases around the country including; Larson AFB in Moses Lake, Washington and March AFB in Riverside, California. His final assignment was at McConnell AFB in Wichita, Kansas in 1971 and this is where his family put down roots and this is where he remained for the rest of his life. While active duty, he was deployed over seas four times during his enlistment which included tours in Korea, Taiwan, Guam, and then back to Korea for his final tour.
After retiring from the Air Force, Les began working in the Wichita Public Schools in the Supply Department and later retired (again) after 17 years in 1997. During his retirement years, he worked part-time for Service Body Shop and also spent many years traveling and watching activities of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Les passed peacefully in hospice care on September 12, 2026 surrounded by family.
Les is preceded in death by his parents, Forrest and Mabel Howard; brothers; Donald, Norman Neal, Gene Raymond and Ronald Howard; sister, Donna Howard; his in-laws, Alfred and Viola Dretske; son, Mark Howard; and brother-in-law, Mark Dretske.
Survivors are his loving wife of 64 years, Judith (Judy); daughter, Mari (Brian) Pontius; son, Mikel (Kimberly) Howard; five grandchildren; Meghan Pontius, Blake (McKenna) Pontius, Abbigail Howard, Danielle (Cody) Kamps, and Zachary Howard, and six great grandchildren; Griffey, Riggs and Landree Pontius, Amelia Clark, Harlow and Theodore Kamps.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 W Zoo Blvd, Wichita 67212 or Kansas Honor Flight, 401 W 1st Ave, Hutchinson, KS 67501.
