Larry Howard, 68, Ottumwa
submitted
OTTUMWA — OTTUMWA — Family and friends were invited
to attend a memorial service to celebrate the life of
Larry M. Howard at 11 a.m. Friday, April 30 at the
United Methodist Church.
Born in Ottumwa, Iowa, June 3, 1941, Larry was the
second of three boys born to Virginia and Gerald Howard.
His first job was as a paper boy for the Des Moines
Register. He was a Boy Scout, earning the highest honor
of Eagle Scout. At the age of 19, he earned the
Certificate of Merit from the American Red Cross as a
lifeguard by administering CPR and saving a 7-year-old
drowning boy. He was an expert marksman and member of
the ROTC rifle team at the University of Iowa.
He earned his law degree from the University of Iowa in
1966. Following graduation, he moved to California,
where he worked as an estate and gift tax examiner in
Los Angeles while studying for the California Bar. He
accepted a position with the Merced County District
Attorney’s office in 1970, where he practiced law until
retirement as the Chief Deputy District in 1988.
In 1981, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He
faced this illness with unwavering determination that a
cure would be found. As such, he volunteered for
numerous clinical trials in the hopes to advance
research toward a cure for this debilitating disease.
He believed in protecting our environment before it
became a popular movement. He advocated for saving Mono
Lake, the Desert Protection Act, Saving Wild Rivers and
saving Old Growth Redwoods. He was happiest pitching his
tent under a pine tree, hiking a mountain trail, sitting
around a campfire and, most especially, rafting the wild
scenic rivers with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Sally Hadsall Howard. He is
also survived by his three children, Ulaine Howard Hiles
(Glenn); Sabra Howard Abbate (James); Brent L. Howard
(Helen); and their mother, Juliana Hill Howard.
Additionally, he is survived by his stepchildren, Laurie
Hadsall Moreno, Joel Hadsall (Isabel), Daniel Hadsall
(Julie) and Suzannne Desmond (Scott). Further, he leaves
behind five grandchildren, Samantha, Sabrina, Lexi and
Tori Abbate and Marissa Hiles; and four step
grandchildren, Maddie Paquin, Kiara Hadsall, Jacob
Hadsall and Kendall Desmond. Further, he is survived by
his two brothers, Donald and Richard Howard.
The memorial service was at 11 a.m. Friday, April 30 at
the United Methodist Church, 899 Yosemite Parkway,
Merced, Calif.