Leon Howard

April 21, 1940 - June 30, 2016

Mr. Leon Howard, 76 of Stigler passed away Thursday, June 30, 2016 at Sparks Hospital in Ft. Smith. He was born on April 21, 1940 in Cass to Opal (Kates) Carry. He grew up in Cass, and received his education at Cass and Stigler, where he graduated with the class of 1958. After graduation he attended Connors State College before working odd jobs until he was drafted by the United States Army in 1965. He met Delores Hall in 1962 and they married soon after in Keota. After returning home from the military he began a career as a truck driver until his retirement. He will always be remembered as loving to farm, being around livestock, and most of all spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife Delores Howard of the home; four sons, Roger Howard and wife Belinda of Muldrow, Brian Howard and wife Cynthia of Stigler, Greg Howard and wife Carla of Stigler, Avery Howard and wife Amy of Stigler; seventeen grandchildren, Charles Howard and wife Karen of Ganns, Tiffany Darden and husband Darrell of Muldrow, Misty Dyer and husband Brandon of Roland, Kendra Flock and husband Josh of Sallisaw, Tabitha Rhodes and husband Trent of Ganns, Judy Blagg of Ft. Smith, Kim Blagg of Hacket, Carl Blagg of Sallisaw, Robert Blagg of Stigler, Zayah Blagg of Stillwell, Cody Howard of Stigler, Dalton Howard of Stigler, Devin Howard of Stigler, Faith Howard of Stigler, Brian Howard of Stigler and South Dakota, Victoria Howard of Stigler, Joshua Howard of Stigler; fifteen great grandchildren, Zayah Blagg, Ethan Howard, Dawson Howard, Chloe Darden, Rilee Flock, Zayla Flock, Jaclynn Blagg, Cole Darden, Tristan Darden, Mason Dyer, Aiden Dyer, Abby Dyer, Tanner Ogden, Ava Rhodes, Sophia Marie Howard; one great-great grandchild, Blake Ogden; two sisters, Wilma Turpin, Carolyn Turpin; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and other family members. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Joe and Edith Kates; his mother, Opal (Kates) Carry; two brothers, Clyde Carry, Ronny Joe Carry; one grandson, Jack Edmond Blagg II; one sister, Barbara Brown. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at First Assembly of God Church in Stigler with Reverend Heath Cole officiating and Reverend Jason Smith delivering the Eulogy. Pallbearers include Keith Turpin, Ricky Turpin, Trent Rhodes, Brandon Dyer, Tracy Rust, and Steven Hall. Honorary Pallbearers include Brian Lee Howard, Robert Blagg, Cody Howard, Dalton Howard, Devin Howard, Josh Howard, Carl Blagg, and Darrell Darden. Burial will immediately follow at Garland Cemetery under the direction of King and Shearwood Funeral Home of Stigler.