Dale Marvin “Lou” Howard, age 81, of Oak Hill, Ohio, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home surrounded by his wife and children on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, after a long, courageous battle with cancer.
He was born on June 24, 1936, to the late Ivola and Earcell Howard, of Pyro, Ohio and was the third of four children. He was a member of the Oak Hill Portland Masonic Lodge #366 and Liberty Baptist Church of Oak Hill, Ohio.
Lou grew up in Pyro, Ohio and was a 1954 graduate of Oak Hill High School where he was involved in three sports. Although he loved playing baseball and basketball, he was most proud of being the quarterback of the football team. After high school, on Feb. 15, 1958, he married the love of his life, Betty. He worked at Davis Firebrick, and Goodyear, where he retired after 32 years of service as a Supervisor and Senior Buyer.
Lou loved life. He loved camping and cookouts with friends and family, enjoyed time in his garage and watching the Browns and Buckeyes. He spent endless hours fishing, hunting and trapping with his son and dad. He was passionate about his yard and garden. He loved traveling with his wife and going to his grandchildren’s extra-curricular activities, and he never complained about spending endless hours waiting in the car while Betty shopped at various malls. Lou never met a stranger and would talk to anyone about anything.
Above all, Lou loved his family. He was dedicated to (and grew up with) his wife of 60 years, Betty (Snyder), and loved being a dad to his two children, Dale “Mark” (Staci), and Christi (Doug). He was also a proud “Papa” and bragged endlessly to anyone who would listen about his four grandchildren: Jessica, Courtney, Jaren, and Jake, and one great-granddaughter, Londyn.
In addition to his wife, children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter, he is survived by brother-in-law, Chuck Cook; sisters-in-law, Collette Howard, Marlene Absten, Connie Evans, and Mandy Strickland; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Lou was preceded in death by his parents, Ivola and Earcell Howard; brothers, Harold “Spike” and Paul Howard; and sister, Kay Cook.
The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice (of Jackson) for their kindness, Pastor Bucky Shoemate and the members of Liberty Baptist Church of Oak Hill and friends for their love, support, thoughts and prayers.
Family and friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home of Oak Hill, at 202 West Maple Ave., Oak Hill, Ohio 45656. A funeral service officiated by long-time friend Rev. Fred Crabtree and Pastor Bucky Shoemate will be held on Sunday, March 25, 2018 at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at C.M. Cemetery in Oak Hill. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Lou’s memory to Liberty Baptist Church, 323 North Bingham St., Oak Hill, Ohio 45656. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillum.com