September 28, 2009

Eugene W. Howard

Eugene Wright Howard “Gene” passed away on September 27, 2009 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  He was born on January 22, 1925 at Ano, Kentucky, to Ola Dean Wright and Lawrence Hulbert Howard.  In 1935 his family moved to Harlan, Kentucky, where he attended Harlan City Schools.  In his teenage years, Gene was a paper carrier for the Harlan Daily Enterprise and worked for the Boston Store in Harlan to help support the family after his father died. On June 3^rd, 1943, Gene left high school and volunteered for the U.S. Army.  He served with distinction in the European Theater beginning in Normandy at Utah Beach on D-Day where he was a longshoreman loading troops and supplies under fire onto the beach. He described it as endless tanks, jeeps, men, and supplies. After the invasion, he was attached to an engineering company responsible for making roads to the front.  When the opportunity arose, he volunteered as a replacement to the 17^th Airborne where he was assigned to the 155^th Anti-Aircraft Artillery.  His anti-tank gun squad, under Sergeant Pete Peirgiovanni, saw action at the Battle of the Bulge, Northern Europe, and the Rhineland.  His squad dropped across the Rhine in a glider during Operation Varsity. Gene spoke of spending an entire year sleeping outside during the coldest European winter on record.

After being discharged from the U.S. Army, Gene returned to Harlan to finish high school. That spring, on April 12, 1946, he married his sweetheart, Emily Caroline VanSant. After finishing high school, he enrolled at Berea College, in Berea, Kentucky.  Gene graduated from Berea in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.  For 10 years Gene worked for the University of Kentucky Extension Service as a county agent in West Liberty in Morgan County, Hyden in Leslie County, and Stanton in Powell County.  In 1957 he returned to the University of Kentucky to pursue graduate studies.  In 1960 he began his career with Kentucky Utilities and worked for them for 33 years. He worked in farm management and ended his career as a District Manager in Middlesboro, Kentucky. In 2003, Gene and Emily relocated to Chattanooga for their retirement where he quickly became involved in church, community, and civic affairs.

Gene was a Trustee of the Appalachian Regional Healthcare for 16 years, appointed a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor, selected as “State Friend of Extension” by Epsilon Sigma Phi, listed in the Who’s Who – Men of Achievement 1990, listed in Personalities of America in 1991, and honored as a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Kentucky in 1993.  He was a Master Gardener and active in Kiwanis.

Gene made a profession of faith at age 15 at the Harlan Baptist Church and was an active member of the Presbyterian Church all his adult life.  He served the church as a Deacon, an Elder, the Moderator of the Transylvania Presbytery, Delegate of the Synod, Delegate to the General Assembly, and was a faithful member of the Gideons. Upon their move to Chattanooga, Gene and Emily became members of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Gene leaves to cherish his memory -

His beloved wife of 63 years, Emily Caroline VanSant

His children - Russell Howard and wife Tina Hart, Lynn Howard and husband Alan Richelson, Steve Howard and wife Pat Lambdin

His adoring grandchildren and great grandchildren - Elizabeth Howard Brashars, her husband Josh, and their son Elijah; Greg Howard; Shelley Richelson Stein, her husband Louis, and their son Max; Daniel Richelson; Liga Richelson; Valdis Richelson; Lauren Howard McSwain, her husband Ryan, and their daughter Madison Claire; Sarah Howard Fetz and her husband Ryan; Meredith Howard; and Patrick Howard.  

He is also survived by four sisters -  Muriel Howard, Irene Holbrook, Doris Leach, and Mary McKenzie

He will also be remembered fondly by many beloved nieces, nephews, and other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2009, at 11 A.M. at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in Chattanooga, with Dr. Gary Carver officiating.  Gene’s grandchildren will serve as pallbearers; the Gideons and Auxiliary will serve as honorary pallbearers.  The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the Chattanooga Funeral Home, East Chapel and on Thursday from 9:30 A.M., to 11 A.M. at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church prior to the funeral service.  Interment will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery with full military honors. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 11288, Chattanooga, TN 37401.