Obituary for Ronald Lynn Howland
Ronald Lynn Howland, a man most knew as "Ronnie," passed away at his home in Tatum, Texas, on November 2, 2025.
Ronnie was born on July 17, 1956, to Robert W. and Estlee D. Howland in Altus, Oklahoma. He was a 1974 graduate of Navajo High School. Up until the start of his career as a correctional officer, Ronnie worked at Chicken Kitchen in Altus until he married Tressa Howland (Bone) on December 29, 1981. Together they built a life centered on family with the foundation being built on love. Ronnie began his career with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections in 1982 and continued working at Oklahoma State Reformatory until his retirement in 2002. After retirement from OSR, he continued to serve his community as a detention officer for the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Department until 2015 when he retired a second time from here. Those who knew him best often said he treated prisoners in his care like human beings first, firm, and fair, but always with dignity. Ronnie loved being a grandfather. Grandpa was his favorite title above any others' he held. When he was not fishing, you could find him building model race cars. He was kind, funny, and deeply devoted to those he loved.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Kenneth Howland.
Those left to continue Ronnie's legacy are his wife; Tressa; his children, Michael Howland and girlfriend Julie Dufner, and Kimberly Gray and husband Lester Gray, Jr.; siblings, Randall Howland and wife Denise; Jeri Rogers (Howland) and husband John; and Brenda Palmer (Howland); his grandchildren Jason Howland and wife Katherine; Natalie Gray, Lorena Gray, Jose Cabrera, Briahna Gray, Zane Gray, and Kaden Howland; and his stepmother, Sue Howland.
A memorial service to honor the life of Ronnie will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, March 6, 2026, at The Tabernacle Baptist Church of Altus, 321 N. Lee Street, Altus, Oklahoma with Pastor Gregory Hawn officiating.
Local arrangements are under the care of the Lowell-Tims Funeral Home and Crematory.
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Ronnie was born on July 17, 1956, to Robert W. and Estlee D. Howland in Altus, Oklahoma. He was a 1974 graduate of Navajo High School. Up until the start of his career as a correctional officer, Ronnie worked at Chicken Kitchen in Altus until he married Tressa Howland (Bone) on December 29, 1981. Together they built a life centered on family with the foundation being built on love. Ronnie began his career with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections in 1982 and continued working at Oklahoma State Reformatory until his retirement in 2002. After retirement from OSR, he continued to serve his community as a detention officer for the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Department until 2015 when he retired a second time from here. Those who knew him best often said he treated prisoners in his care like human beings first, firm, and fair, but always with dignity. Ronnie loved being a grandfather. Grandpa was his favorite title above any others' he held. When he was not fishing, you could find him building model race cars. He was kind, funny, and deeply devoted to those he loved.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Kenneth Howland.
Those left to continue Ronnie's legacy are his wife; Tressa; his children, Michael Howland and girlfriend Julie Dufner, and Kimberly Gray and husband Lester Gray, Jr.; siblings, Randall Howland and wife Denise; Jeri Rogers (Howland) and husband John; and Brenda Palmer (Howland); his grandchildren Jason Howland and wife Katherine; Natalie Gray, Lorena Gray, Jose Cabrera, Briahna Gray, Zane Gray, and Kaden Howland; and his stepmother, Sue Howland.
A memorial service to honor the life of Ronnie will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, March 6, 2026, at The Tabernacle Baptist Church of Altus, 321 N. Lee Street, Altus, Oklahoma with Pastor Gregory Hawn officiating.
Local arrangements are under the care of the Lowell-Tims Funeral Home and Crematory.
To send flowers in memory of Ronald Lynn Howland, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Funeral
Friday
6
Mar
10:00 AM
Tabernacle Baptist Church
331 N. Lee
Altus, OK 7352`
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