Douglas Howard

Douglas K. Howard, age 80, of Byron Center, MI, passed away on Friday, May 19, 2023. He was born on June 2, 1942, in Portland, Oregon, to Harrison & Melcine Howard. Douglas proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force achieving the rank of Master Sergeant. After 20 years of service, he retired while assigned to the 44 Combat Support Group. He was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Service Stars, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters. He was a disc jockey for a classical music station in Brookings, OR. While in Brookings, he met his future wife, Terry June Lantz. They were married on July 21, 1991. Douglas later worked for the State of California as a case records specialist at Pelican Bay State Penitentiary until retirement. He enjoyed model railroading, astronomy, reading, aircraft history, classical music, and science. Survivors include his three children, Shari & Brady Harper, Doug & Jennifer Smith, Kitty Howard & Alan Clayson; multiple grandchildren; brothers JB Craig, David & Char Berkham; sisters, Trisha Ostrem, Carol Adams, Cassie Cook, Judy Holt, Teresa & Kevin Schnering, and Ferne & Richard Bouie. Committal Services with Full Military Honors will be held on Friday, June 23, 2023, at William James Ward Memorial Cemetery, Brookings, Oregon. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006, exclusive providers of Veterans Funeral Care. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Douglas Howard, please visit our flower store.