Claude M. Howard

Claude M. Howard, 88, of Mission, Kansas, died peacefully at home on March 24, 2011, following a full life.

He was born on August 25, 1922, to Claude M. Howard, Sr. and Mary Roher Howard. He grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, graduating from Wyandotte High School in 1940. He graduated from Kansas State University where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity following his service to his country during WWII. Claude served in the United States Navy as a fighter pilot in the Pacific Theater. He earned many citations including the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Purple Heart.

Claude's life was marked by his love for his family and his service to others. He worked for the Kansas State Employment Service for 25 years, retiring in 1985. He gave years of his life to coaching little league sports, being on the organizational committee for the early stages of the YMCA football program. He touched many lives through this football program and his 3 & 2 Baseball coaching. Claude served on the Mission City Council during the late 1970s. Following his stroke in 1983, Claude became a charter member of the Stroke Support group at Shawnee Mission Medical Center, providing hope and inspiration to others that life continues in spite of limitations. He pursued his love for building as he built a lake home for his family to enjoy. His retirement years were filled with woodworking projects that his family will treasure as a lasting legacy to pass from generation to generation.

Claude was preceded in death by his parents, his brother James T. Howard, his sister Vivian Howard Wyatt, and nephew James T. Howard, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eda Mae Howard, sons Steve Howard (Debbie), Trey Howard (Jan), and daughters Kay Bailey (Lane) and Cindy Collins (Alan), 14 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Vitas Hospice in honor and appreciation for the support and care they provided during the final weeks of Claude's life.

Vitas Hospice

10000 W. 75th Street, Suite 240

Overland Park, Kansas 66204

Visitation and Funeral Service

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Monday, March 28, 2011, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 29, 2011, at Shawnee United Methodist Church. Burial to follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Kansas City, Kansas.