David Howard

After a long and rich life, David Edgar Howard, 80, passed away quickly and gracefully at his home on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Lecanto, Florida, where he and his wife Vickie lived.

He was born April 22, 1935, in Cape Girardeau, and lived there many years.

Graveside services with military honors will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 6 at Florida National Cemetery of Bushnell, Florida, with American Legion Post 155 of Crystal River officiating. There will be no visitation at the funeral home.

David and his wife, Vickie's, first residence together was in Monterrey, Mexico, where they loved to watch the beautiful sunsets. This was just the beginning of their many travels, which took them to Europe, Central America and throughout the United States. They recently returned from a five-week vacation where they visited family and friends in the southwestern states. David's favorite spot was Bryce Canyon.

During David's junior and senior years in high school, he was a starting forward for the Central Tigers' basketball team. They went to the state championship. David was selected to the Missouri State All-Star Team in his senior year.

While in high school, David was one of a six-member close-knit group of pranksters who took "inappropriate conduct" to a new level. During the past seven years, this group, aptly named the "Bad Boys" by their spouses, has spent an annual long weekend together in each other's homes, recalling teenage misdeeds, some of which led to time spent in the superintendent's office.

David went on to graduate from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. He lettered in tennis, golf and basketball. In 2000, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, and his jersey was retired.

He served our country as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Panama.

One of David's first jobs was a caddy at the Cape Country Club. He became an accomplished golfer, recording four holes-in-one and winning many tournaments in the United States and Mexico. His proudest win was with his son, Mark, in Lake St. Louis, Missouri, in June 2014.

David's father, B.I. Howard, started Howard's Athletic Goods in 1945. When B.I. retired, David and his brother Robert became the owners. Often on Saturday mornings at the store, he would listen to the local sports figures' "bull sessions." David retired in 2013, at which time he turned the store over to Terry Slattery, who had been working at the store since 1984. David was a mentor and friend to Terry for 32 years. David occasionally visited the store after his retirement to help with ideas and insight on the business.

David and Vickie were President's Council donors for Southeast Missouri State University, which provides financial support for the university.

David was introduced to Christ by Jack Mehner, small-group leader at Cape LaCroix Church in Cape Girardeau of which he was a member. Anne Moreland introduced him to community work with Meals on Wheels. He was actively involved in delivering meals for the Senior Center and volunteering at the Salvation Army. David was considered one of their best dishwashers.

David is survived by his wife, Vickie; a son, Mark Howard (Cheryl); two daughters, Kim Noteboom (Pat) and Jo Wright; his stepdaughter, Alyssa Groeteke; seven grandchildren; friends Terry Slattery of Cape Girardeau, Karina de la Garza of Cologne, Germany, Steve and Giselle McGee of Staten Island, New York, Roger and Shelia Tipling of Springfield, Missouri; as well as countless friends from around the world. David loved his family and adored his grandchildren, Maura, Matthew, Josh, Graham, Ellen, Erin and Autumn Rose.

David was preceded in death by his parents, B.I. and Lucile Howard; his brother, Robert Howard; and his first wife, Sandy.

David will be missed by those who knew him. He enjoyed life to the fullest with all of its joys. The last week of his life, he was playing golf, dancing and enjoying nightly card games with friends. He had a voice that demanded attention, sometimes a stern look, but a heart of gold and giving.

A family friend who has a daughter the same age as his granddaughter, Autumn, has a very serious illness. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking donations be made to Braelyn Bangert to help with costs for future surgeries. Please remit your love offering to www.gofundme.com/supportBraelyn.

Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home, Inverness, Florida, is assisting the family.