Eugene Howard
Eugene "Gene" Howard died on September 27, 2009.
He was born on January 22, 1925 at Ano, Ky., to Ola Dean Wright and Lawrence Hulbert Howard. In 1935 his family moved to Harlan, Ky., where he attended Harlan City Schools.
On June 3rd, 1943 Gene volunteered for the U.S. Army. He served with distinction in the European Theater beginning in Normandy at the Utah Beach Operation on D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge, Northern Europe, the Rhineland, and Operation Varsity with the 17th Airborne.
After being discharged from the U.S. Army he returned to finish high school and married his sweetheart, Emily Caroline VanSant, on April 12, 1946.
Gene graduated from Berea College with a B.S in Agriculture in 1950 and worked for the University of Kentucky Extension Service for ten years and for Kentucky Utilities for 33 years.
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; was 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 Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Kentucky in 1993.
He was a Master Gardner and active in Kiwanis.
Gene made a profession of faith at age 15 and has been an active member of the Presbyterian Church. 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.
Gene is survived by Emily, his wife of 63 years; his children, Russ (Tina Hart), Lynn (Alan Richelson), Steve (Pat Lambdin), 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by four sisters, Muriel Howard, Irene Holbrook, Doris Leach, and Mary McKenzie, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 11 a.m. at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Dr. Gary Carver officiating. Gene’s grandchildren will serve as pallbearers; Gideons and Auxilliary will serve as honorary pallbearers.
His family will receive friends on Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. at the Chattanooga Funeral Home, East Chapel, and on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral service begins at 11 a.m. at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 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.
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Arrangements are by the Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, East Chapel, 404 South Moore Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37412.