Obituary for Robert Sam Howard
Robert “Bob†Sam Howard, 75, of the Navajo community was called to his heavenly home on Friday, April 1, 2022. Services will be on Tuesday April 5, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Altus First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at the Navajoe Cemetery under the direction of Lowell Tims Funeral Home of Altus.
Bob Howard was born on September 14, 1946 in Altus, Oklahoma to Sam and Harriette (Childress) Howard. He grew up on the farm working with his dad and riding the ranch with his grandfather, Warren Howard. Bob attended school at Friendship Public School until it was destroyed by a fire his junior year. Thus, Bob was part of the first graduating class from Navajo Public School and served as the 1964 Class President. After high school, Bob attended Altus Junior College for one year, then transferred to Oklahoma State University. Bob and his brother, Paul, formed a band called The Vibrations, which did not make it big, but made enough for them to cover rent and “going outâ€. In 1969, Bob was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education, but since the United States was in the middle of the Vietnam War, Bob decided to pursue a Masters to defer being conscripted into the War. However, as Bob used to say was regular for his bad luck, his birthday led to him being drafted in the first draft lottery.
In 1971 Bob was assigned to the 317th Infantry and was deployed to Vietnam. While in country, Bob learned it was better to stay on base rather than have to do sorties, so he became the squadron’s processing clerk. Even though he didn’t know how to type orders; he said he would learn. In 1973, he returned to the Navajo community and began teaching Ag Education at Blair Public School. It was during this time that Bob met Brenda Renee Nobles and after only six months of dating, they were married on December 27, 1974. After only two years of teaching at Blair, he made the decision he would like to farm full-time, so he, his brother, and dad started a farming partnership. In 1979, Bob returned to teach Ag Education at Navajo for three years before retiring from the profession forever to farm.
Bob and his young family continued to stay active in the Altus community. In 1986, Bob was elected as Jackson County Commissioner for District 1. He failed in his re-election bid, but feeling that his service was not complete won the seat again in 1994 as the first Republican elected in Jackson County. During Bob’s twelve years being Commissioner, he was able to initiate the building of the new jail, relocation and expansion of the County Health Department, setting up the TIF for creation of the Jackson County Expo Center, and says that he paved more roads in his district than any prior commissioner. After his service as Commissioner, Bob became more active in local causes, having served on the Jackson County Farm Bureau Board for more than 30 years, being on the Jackson County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees for more than 10 years, serving on the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Board for one term, being a state board member for the Oklahoma Wheat Growers’ Association, and volunteering in about every position with the Altus First United Methodist Church.
Bob continued to farm and ranch in the Navajo community until his dying days. He enjoyed the work, being in God’s creation and teaching others how to labor, especially his kids. He was always fond of saying that, “You should love life, raise good kids, and enjoy your family.â€
Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Harriette Howard, due to a car wreck in 1965, his dad, Sam Howard, in 2008, his parents-in-law, O.C. and Emma Lee Nobles, and a favorite cousin, Jim Childress.
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Renee, of the home. His daughter, Chrystle, and husband, Jarrett Kruska, of Enid. His sons, Ryan, and wife, Erin, and Brent, and wife, Jennifer, all of Altus. His 5 granddaughters, Emma Kate, Elliott, Samantha, Alexandra, and Estelle. He is also survived by his siblings and their spouses, nieces and nephews, and other extended family.
The family will greet friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Monday, April 4, 2022 at the Lowell – Tims Funeral Home. Online tributes may be made at Lowell – Tims.com
Donations in memory of Bob Howard may be made to the Altus First United Methodist Church, to Disabled American Veterans, to the Navajoe Cemetery Fund, or a charity of your choice.
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Bob Howard was born on September 14, 1946 in Altus, Oklahoma to Sam and Harriette (Childress) Howard. He grew up on the farm working with his dad and riding the ranch with his grandfather, Warren Howard. Bob attended school at Friendship Public School until it was destroyed by a fire his junior year. Thus, Bob was part of the first graduating class from Navajo Public School and served as the 1964 Class President. After high school, Bob attended Altus Junior College for one year, then transferred to Oklahoma State University. Bob and his brother, Paul, formed a band called The Vibrations, which did not make it big, but made enough for them to cover rent and “going outâ€. In 1969, Bob was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education, but since the United States was in the middle of the Vietnam War, Bob decided to pursue a Masters to defer being conscripted into the War. However, as Bob used to say was regular for his bad luck, his birthday led to him being drafted in the first draft lottery.
In 1971 Bob was assigned to the 317th Infantry and was deployed to Vietnam. While in country, Bob learned it was better to stay on base rather than have to do sorties, so he became the squadron’s processing clerk. Even though he didn’t know how to type orders; he said he would learn. In 1973, he returned to the Navajo community and began teaching Ag Education at Blair Public School. It was during this time that Bob met Brenda Renee Nobles and after only six months of dating, they were married on December 27, 1974. After only two years of teaching at Blair, he made the decision he would like to farm full-time, so he, his brother, and dad started a farming partnership. In 1979, Bob returned to teach Ag Education at Navajo for three years before retiring from the profession forever to farm.
Bob and his young family continued to stay active in the Altus community. In 1986, Bob was elected as Jackson County Commissioner for District 1. He failed in his re-election bid, but feeling that his service was not complete won the seat again in 1994 as the first Republican elected in Jackson County. During Bob’s twelve years being Commissioner, he was able to initiate the building of the new jail, relocation and expansion of the County Health Department, setting up the TIF for creation of the Jackson County Expo Center, and says that he paved more roads in his district than any prior commissioner. After his service as Commissioner, Bob became more active in local causes, having served on the Jackson County Farm Bureau Board for more than 30 years, being on the Jackson County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees for more than 10 years, serving on the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Board for one term, being a state board member for the Oklahoma Wheat Growers’ Association, and volunteering in about every position with the Altus First United Methodist Church.
Bob continued to farm and ranch in the Navajo community until his dying days. He enjoyed the work, being in God’s creation and teaching others how to labor, especially his kids. He was always fond of saying that, “You should love life, raise good kids, and enjoy your family.â€
Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Harriette Howard, due to a car wreck in 1965, his dad, Sam Howard, in 2008, his parents-in-law, O.C. and Emma Lee Nobles, and a favorite cousin, Jim Childress.
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Renee, of the home. His daughter, Chrystle, and husband, Jarrett Kruska, of Enid. His sons, Ryan, and wife, Erin, and Brent, and wife, Jennifer, all of Altus. His 5 granddaughters, Emma Kate, Elliott, Samantha, Alexandra, and Estelle. He is also survived by his siblings and their spouses, nieces and nephews, and other extended family.
The family will greet friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Monday, April 4, 2022 at the Lowell – Tims Funeral Home. Online tributes may be made at Lowell – Tims.com
Donations in memory of Bob Howard may be made to the Altus First United Methodist Church, to Disabled American Veterans, to the Navajoe Cemetery Fund, or a charity of your choice.
To send flowers in memory of Robert Sam Howard, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Viewing
Monday
4
Apr
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Lowell-Tims Chapel
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
Funeral
Tuesday
5
Apr
2:00 PM
First United Methodist
317 N. ,Main
Altus, OK 73521
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