Obituary of John Randolph Howard

John Randolph Howard passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at the age of 90. He was born on September 17, 1925 in Elsberry, Missouri to Thomas Cannon and Mary Lucy (Cannon) Howard. He was united in marriage to the love of his life Mary Lynn Parks on June 23, 1957. This union was blessed with three children. John was born and raised in Elsberry, Missouri. He attended high school in Elsberry and then joined the United States Army. He then returned to Elsberry to help on the family farm. John continued to farm for many years. He was a former Elsberry R 2 school board member, Kiwanis club president and was a Mason for over 60 years. John never knew a stranger and had a kind heart. He was known for always having a good joke to tell. He loved his family very much, especially his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents T. C. and Mary Lucy, two brothers Charles Cannon "Tot" Howard and William Otto "Bob" Howard. John is survived by his loving wife of 59 years Mary Lynn Howard, one son John Randolph Howard II and wife Susan, two daughters Lisa Howard Grace and husband Jeff, Amy Howard Tobias and husband Corey, five grandchildren Lucinda Winter, Zach Howard and wife Ally, Maddie Howard, Eli Tobias, Jackson Tobias, one great granddaughter Quinn Cannon Howard, one sister Molly Howard Duncan, one sister in law June Sherman Howard, many other relatives and many friends. A memorial service for John will be held on Saturday, September 3, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Elsberry United Methodist Church in Elsberry, Missouri. A meal will be served in Johns honor following the memorial service. Memorial donations are preferred to the T. C. and Mary Lucy Howard Family Ballpark or Loving Hands Hospice c/o Martin Funeral Home 510 East Main Street Warrenton, Missouri 63383 or Carter-Ricks Funeral Home; 107 South 5th Street; Elsberry, MO 63343.