Obituary for Eugene Howard
Eugene “Gene” James Howard, 76, of Leavenworth, died Friday, April 30, 2021, at Providence Medical Center. He was born Jan. 5, 1945, in Leavenworth, the son of Elizabeth Howard.
He was married to Julie “Sue” Howard, for 27 years until her passing in 1999. From this union, Gene is survived by two daughters, Gena Howard of Leavenworth and Shawntae (Brady) Childress of Owasso, Okla. In 2003, Gene married Annabelle “Patty” Taylor, she survives at the home; from this marriage he gained two sons, PJ and Michael both of Leavenworth. Gene is also survived by his grandchildren, Shy’Ron Howard, Jillian Childress, Brooklyn Pinder and Merrick Floyd; his godchildren, William A. Ewing Jr. and Lonnette McFarland;his brother who helped raise him, Don Howard; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
After graduating from Leavenworth Senior High School, Gene began a lifetime career in the automotive industry. He worked locally and within the greater Kansas City area.
Gene was an established member of First Missionary Baptist Church, where he attended for decades. He actively served as a deacon, layman, trustee, financial officer, choir member, grounds keeper and resident cook known for his famous green beans.He was a man who wore many hats.
To call Gene a character was merely scratching the service. He was ornery, stubborn and brutally honest when he needed to be. He delivered analogies that sould stop traffic. To have known him, was to love him. He called it “the way it was”. If he teased you, it was because he liked you. After retiring from Ft. Leavenworth, he didn’t sit still for very long. He was back to mowing lawns, shoveling snow and of course, junking!
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday, May 7, 2021, at First Missionary Baptist Church (800 W. 7th St. Leavenworth, KS). A funeral service will begin at 12 p.m. Friday, at the church. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements in care of R.L. Leintz Funeral Home.
He was married to Julie “Sue” Howard, for 27 years until her passing in 1999. From this union, Gene is survived by two daughters, Gena Howard of Leavenworth and Shawntae (Brady) Childress of Owasso, Okla. In 2003, Gene married Annabelle “Patty” Taylor, she survives at the home; from this marriage he gained two sons, PJ and Michael both of Leavenworth. Gene is also survived by his grandchildren, Shy’Ron Howard, Jillian Childress, Brooklyn Pinder and Merrick Floyd; his godchildren, William A. Ewing Jr. and Lonnette McFarland;his brother who helped raise him, Don Howard; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
After graduating from Leavenworth Senior High School, Gene began a lifetime career in the automotive industry. He worked locally and within the greater Kansas City area.
Gene was an established member of First Missionary Baptist Church, where he attended for decades. He actively served as a deacon, layman, trustee, financial officer, choir member, grounds keeper and resident cook known for his famous green beans.He was a man who wore many hats.
To call Gene a character was merely scratching the service. He was ornery, stubborn and brutally honest when he needed to be. He delivered analogies that sould stop traffic. To have known him, was to love him. He called it “the way it was”. If he teased you, it was because he liked you. After retiring from Ft. Leavenworth, he didn’t sit still for very long. He was back to mowing lawns, shoveling snow and of course, junking!
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday, May 7, 2021, at First Missionary Baptist Church (800 W. 7th St. Leavenworth, KS). A funeral service will begin at 12 p.m. Friday, at the church. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements in care of R.L. Leintz Funeral Home.