Celebrating the life of
Lonnie Taylor Howard
April 17, 1931 - December 29, 2006
Lieutenant Colonel Lonnie T. Howard, US Army Ret.
Savannah – Lieutenant Colonel Lonnie Taylor Howard known as Howie, died at Hospice House on December 29, 2006 following a long illness. Born in Fort Mill, SC in 1931 to Lonnie A. and Emma Lee Howard, he grew up there and then attended Clemson University. Graduating in 1953 with a degree in Textile Chemistry, he was commissioned as a Chemical Officer and entered active duty with the United States Army. Following a branch transfer to the Infantry, he attended flight school becoming an Army aviator qualified in both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. Lonnie served two tours of duty in combat in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, and eventually became a Master Aviator. In addition to his combat tours he also served for eight years in Germany and in a variety of command and staff positions during his almost twenty-five year career. Following his retirement from the US Army in 1978, he moved to Savannah where he served as the Director of Transportation for the Chatham Association for Retarded Citizens workshop, followed by a position as the Senior Army Instructor teaching Junior ROTC at Groves High School in Garden City, Georgia. An avid shooter, he was also a rifle and pistol coach at the school and did part-time work as a gunsmith in a local gun shop. In his spare time Lonnie completed a Master’s degree in Business from Savannah State College in 1985. Following his second retirement, from the Chatham-Savannah Board of Education, he filled his time as a driving school instructor until his illness prevented him from continuing to serve the community.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-one years, Pat and seven of his eight children; Catherine Franch and her husband Bill of Raleigh, NC; Colonel John Howard US Army and his wife Amy of Fort Carson, CO; Thomas Howard and his wife Mary of Savannah; James Howard of Savannah; Lieutenant Colonel Lonnie Rick Howard US Army Ret. of Marietta, GA; Nancy Howard of Savannah; and Mary Tallman and her husband Matthew of Marietta, GA. He is affectionately known as Howie to his seventeen grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and all their friends. Also surviving are his brother Bobby Howard and his wife Pat of North Augusta, SC, and his sister, Emma Jean Howard of Loganville, GA.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 20007 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, with The Reverend Jeremiah J. McCarthy officiating. Honorary Pallbearers will be John Howard, Thomas Howard, Jim Howard, Rick Howard, Bill Franch, and Matthew Tallman.
Interment, with full military honors, will follow on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, GA.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kicklighter Resource Center, formerly the Chatham Association for Retarded Citizens www.kicklightercenter.org; International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders; Army Emergency Relief; the Georgia Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; or the charity of your choice.
Mrs. Howard, Catherine, John, Rick, Tommy, Jimmy, Nancy & Mary: I am so sorry to hear about your Dad's passing...I did not know. I will miss him dearly as I know you will too. I will keep him & you all in my prayers. God Bless You All. George J. Crawford & Family
- George J. Crawford, Griffin, GA
Mrs. Howard, Rick and all of the family! I am so sorry for your loss! I was not aware that Col. Howard passed until today when I was searching Fox and Weeks for my brother Walter's father in law who just passed. Please accept my sincerest condolences and please let me know if there is anything I can do! Love and Sympathy! Edward.
- Edward Crawford, MD, St. Simmons Island, GA
Mrs. Howard, Rick and all the family! My sincerest condolences! Please let me know if I can be of any service! Love and Sympathy! Edward.
- Edward Crawford, MD, St. Simmons Island, GA
Pat, I was so sorry to find out about LTC Howard's passing. I was out of town, or I would have attended the memorial service. He was a fine man, who meant so much to my dad through the years since the late 70's. They may be at the rifle range together right now! Please call me at 898-0655 if I can do anything for you. Take care and God bless.
- Annette Parker, Savannah, GA
Hello I am one of John Cohen's sons - step brother of Matthew Tallman. My wife Terry and I were very saddened to hear of your loss. We had never met him, but it sounds like Howie left quite a mark with his family and service in the military. You must be both profoundly sad and proud at the same time. We sincerely hope the pain of loss passes soon and the good memories are what is left. Sincerly, Brad Cohen & Terry Gibson
- Brad Cohen, Den Bosch, - Other
Christine, I am so sorry and I love you!!
- Ali Crawford, Savannah, GA
We are sorry to hear of Howie's death. He was a dear man, and a supportive and loving grandfather to his dear Christine. We were happy to have been neighbors on 50th Street for so very many years. We are sending our prayers and support. Joe, Jan and John Conners
- Conners family, Savannah, GA
Great man and good friend
- Guy Giella CW3 Ret, Savannah, GA
A 1949 Fort Mill High School Classmate. Very proud of all his accomplishments since then.
- Joanne Thompson, Charlotte, NC
Pat,Lonnie was a good friend to me through the years and I cherish the memories of the times we had together. Joan and I send our deepest sympathy to you and your family. George
- George and Joan Hutto, jMyrtle Beach, SC
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Howard family. May he rest in peace
- Scott/Leslie Tallman, Marietta, GA
Mrs. Howard, Catherine, John, Rick, Tommy, Jimmy, Nancy & Mary: I am so sorry to hear about your Dad's passing...I did not know. I will miss him dearly as I know you will too. I will keep him & you all in my prayers. God Bless You All. George J. Crawford & Family
- George J. Crawford, Griffin, GA
Mrs. Howard, Rick and all of the family! I am so sorry for your loss! I was not aware that Col. Howard passed until today when I was searching Fox and Weeks for my brother Walter's father in law who just passed. Please accept my sincerest condolences and please let me know if there is anything I can do! Love and Sympathy! Edward.
- Edward Crawford, MD, St. Simmons Island, GA
Mrs. Howard, Rick and all the family! My sincerest condolences! Please let me know if I can be of any service! Love and Sympathy! Edward.
- Edward Crawford, MD, St. Simmons Island, GA
Pat, I was so sorry to find out about LTC Howard's passing. I was out of town, or I would have attended the memorial service. He was a fine man, who meant so much to my dad through the years since the late 70's. They may be at the rifle range together right now! Please call me at 898-0655 if I can do anything for you. Take care and God bless.
- Annette Parker, Savannah, GA
Hello I am one of John Cohen's sons - step brother of Matthew Tallman. My wife Terry and I were very saddened to hear of your loss. We had never met him, but it sounds like Howie left quite a mark with his family and service in the military. You must be both profoundly sad and proud at the same time. We sincerely hope the pain of loss passes soon and the good memories are what is left. Sincerly, Brad Cohen & Terry Gibson
- Brad Cohen, Den Bosch, - Other -
Christine, I am so sorry and I love you!!
- Ali Crawford, Savannah, GA
We are sorry to hear of Howie's death. He was a dear man, and a supportive and loving grandfather to his dear Christine. We were happy to have been neighbors on 50th Street for so very many years. We are sending our prayers and support. Joe, Jan and John Conners
- Conners family, Savannah, GA
Great man and good friend
- Guy Giella CW3 Ret, Savannah, GA
A 1949 Fort Mill High School Classmate. Very proud of all his accomplishments since then.
- Joanne Thompson, Charlotte, NC
Pat,Lonnie was a good friend to me through the years and I cherish the memories of the times we had together. Joan and I send our deepest sympathy to you and your family. George
- George and Joan Hutto, jMyrtle Beach, SC
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Howard family. May he rest in peace
- Scott/Leslie Tallman, Marietta, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
