Donald Lee Howard was born on Jan. 11, 1939 in Elizabeth and went to his heavenly reward on Tuesday, Mar 22, 2022 in Burleson, Texas, surrounded by friends and family.
Don was born to Taft and Lois Howard and grew up in Louisiana and around the south Texas/Houston area. He was a graduate of Texas City High School and a proud member of the class of 1957. Following high school, Don was born again of the Water and Spirit, and felt called to the ministry.
Don met the love of his life in 1959 in LaMarque, Texas. He and Milbre Ione Mock were married on Sept. 17, 1960, in DeRidder.
In 1962, he and Milbre left Texas to attend Western Apostolic Bible College in Stockton, California for two years, before returning home to Texas in 1964. He finished bible college as a member of the first graduating class from Texas Bible College in 1965. While attending college in Houston, Texas, Milbre gave birth to the couple’s first son, Kevin Britt Howard. Upon completion of Bible College, he moved his young family out to the West Texas frontier and started a home missions church in Del Rio, Texas. While in Del Rio, Don’s second son, Russell Vaughn Howard was born.
In 1968, Don was elected pastor of Calvary United Pentecostal Church in Ft. Worth, Texas. He pastored Calvary until 1975, when he was hired to work at the headquarters of the United Pentecostal Church in St Louis, Missouri. He served for two years in the position of Promotional Director of Harvestime, the radio broadcast of the organization.
In 1977, Don felt led to pastor again and was voted in as the pastor of First Pentecostal Church in Seattle, Washington. Don served as the pastor until 1984 when he resigned.
Following his resignation, he moved into a career of selling automobiles, where he found great success. He won many awards, but never could get away from his calling to the ministry. Don begin to serve as Community and Seniors pastor at Calvary Temple and served in this position until 2010.
Don and Milbre moved to Burleson, Texas in 2010 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Don began to serve in a volunteer capacity at Calvary Church, the church he pastored for 7seven years previously.
Donald Howard was known as a man who loved God with all his heart and was a spiritual mentor to many. He faithfully supported the leadership at Calvary Church and held up the pastoral leadership in prayer.
He is survived by his loving wife, Milbre Mock Howard of Burleson, Texas; one brother, Jack Howard of Dickinson, Texas; one sister, Katherine Ricicar of Conroe, Texas; two sons, Kevin Britt Howard and his wife Pamela Dillon Howard of Alexandria; Russell Vaughn Howard and his wife Josie Roth Howard of San Angelo, Texas; three grandchildren, Christina Sauls and her husband Doug Sauls of Midland, Texas, Donald Howard and Aleesha Howard of San Angelo, Texas; three great-grandchildren; Riley Sauls, Kenzley Sauls and DougZ Sauls, all of Midland, Texas; and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his father, Taft Howard; his mother, Lois Howard; two brothers, Bill Howard and Tommy Howard; and two sisters, Tress Bird and Sue Norris.
Don will be remembered as the best Dad, Papaw, Uncle, Pastor and overall great man of God!
Graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Mar. 31 at Beauregard Cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled by Riley Smith & Sons Funeral Home 1810 West Fourth St., DeQuincy.
(Paid Memorial)
