David Grant Howard

David Grant Howard of North Platte, formerly of McCook, died Wednesday, January 2, 2008, at his home.

He was born April 7, 1920, at Cameron, MO to Wayne and Zephyr Vanila (Spore) Howard. He was a graduate of Cameron High School and he served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1941 to 1946.

David eloped with Roberta L. Smith, December 31, 1948. They were married in Cameron at the Baptist parsonage. It was one of the rare occasions that he wore a necktie.

David was a licensed Journeyman Electrician in Nebraska and Colorado. He had been employed by the City of Cameron and the C B & Q Railroad (later called the Burlington Northern Railroad.)

Through their 54 years of marriage, Dave and "Smitty" lived in Cameron, MO, Lincoln, NE, Coal Creek Canyon, CO, McCook and North Platte. David was a man who found God's presence in his life after he moved to McCook, where he was baptized at the First Baptist Church in 1989. He was a member, deacon, trustee and chairman of the board there. He was also a member of the First Baptist Church in North Platte.

David was a handyman and he built a house in Colorado during the 1970’s. He was a 20-year cancer survivor. He enjoyed family time and loved fishing, camping and playing card games especially cribbage. He was a very competitive man. He and Smitty raised their grandson, Billy Howard, from the age of two years until he became a man.

David is survived by two daughters, both of North Platte, Janet Gilg (Jerome); and Cathy Baker; one son, Larry of Longmont, CO; one sister, Marguerite Evans of St. Joseph, MO; one brother-in-law, Eldon Haskell of St. Joseph, MO and one sister-in-law, Lorene Howard of Tulsa, OK. He had four grandsons: Aaron (Kelinda) Gilg of Kearney, NE; Paul (Jen) Gilg of Columbus, NE; Billy (Christine) Howard of Rochester, MN and Jakob (Loana) Baker of Golden, CO.
His great-grandchildren: Clay, Rileigh Jean and Dane Gilg; Landon Gilg; Caitlynn, Donovan, Annika and Mara Howard; Gavin, Brennen and Mya Baker.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, two brothers, Harry and Alton, one sister, Clarbel Haskell, and son-in-law, James Baker.

The service was at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 5 at Carpenter-Breland Funeral Chapel in McCook with Pastor James Denny and Jerry Beckenhauer officiating. Cremation has been chosen. Inurnment took place at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell, NE at 11 a.m. Monday, January 7.

Memorials were suggested to Hospice in North Platte or the American Cancer Society.
Carpenter Breland Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.