In Remembrance
Classmates of Ottumwa High School
Class of 1959

 

Larry Howard


By: 02/07/2005
May 3, 2010

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.

 


Last Updated Tuesday May 04, 2010

Passed Classmates