May 26, 1947 — January 4, 2024
Donald Edward Howard was born on May 26, 1947, in Marion, Alabama, to Tommie and Louise Howard. He was the eldest of ten children. The family moved to Springfield, Ohio where Don graduated from Springfield South HS in 1965. He was a member of the National Honors Society, an Eagle Scout and voted as the most likely to succeed.
Following his graduation, Don enrolled in Fenn College of Engineering, the same year it was becoming part of Cleveland State University. His college choice was life changing in multiple ways. First, mechanical engineering degree led to a more than 25-year career as an engineer and manager with IBM. Second, he was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, which he served as a devoted member and leader for the balance of his life. And most important, college was where met Betty Joyce Green. She was the love of his life and they were married 51 years.
Don liked to say he knew he was going to marry Betty the first time he saw her, walking out of the campus library with a hefty stack of books.
While working as an engineer at IBM after graduation, Don took night classes at Cleveland Marshall College of Law where he was one of the first African American members of the Law Review. His law degree helped him transition into management for IBM for over 25 years before his retirement. After retiring from IBM, Don practiced law full time, specializing in juvenile law. His skill, dedication and professionalism were widely recognized, and he was named guardian ad litem of the year.
Don had many interests outside of work and family. He was an avid runner, running races into his early 70s. He also enjoyed camping, fishing, and Ohio State football. Westerns were a favorite TV fare. He especially loved smoking any meat he could get his hands on. His smoked turkeys were especially legendary among his friends.
Don was also an amateur radio enthusiast, with the call sign N8JIW and enjoyed using his radios to talk to people all over the world.
In addition to his active role as a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha, which he served in many capacities, including as president of its Delta Alpha Lambda graduate chapter, Don was also a proud and active Freemason, obtaining his 33rd Degree. A faithful churchgoer, Don was also an ordained deacon with the United Church of Christ.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Anthony Howard and Ray Howard, and sisters Kathy Howard and Elaine Sanders. He is survived by his wife of 51 years Betty Joyce Howard; his children Donald Edward Howard II and Dierdra Howard Barouk (Asaf); grandson Reid Edward Howard; brothers Al Howard (Brenda), Kerry Howard (Arlene), Kenneth Howard, and DeWayne Howard (Sandra); sister Wynona Banks (Roger); sister-in-law Deborah Shepherd (Ron); brother-in-law Archie Green (Debra); godson Samuel Dickerson (Felicia) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 10:30a at South Euclid United Church of Christ, 4217 Bluestone Rd [44121]. The family will receive visitors at the church beginning at 10a.
The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made in the name of Donald E. Howard to Hospice of the Western Reserve and/or Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Alpha Lambda Chapter, P. O. Box 6441, Cleveland, OH 44104.
Final arrangements were entrusted to E. F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home.
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