HOWARD MCABEE

June 6, 1939 – May 11, 2022

On June 6, 1939, Howard Hues McAbee was born at KMC in Bakersfield, California to John and Winnie McAbee. He and his siblings Helen, Raymond, Winton, Jack, Norma, and Sandra grew up in Southgate also knows as Billy Goat Acres, working hard, playing harder, and making lifelong friends. On one fateful day Howard spotted Joyce Dian Lee waiting at a bus stop to attend an Oral Roberts Revival and she invited him to come along; an offer he couldn't refuse. That was the first day of the rest of their beautiful life together as Howard and Joyce were married shortly after on January 28, 1957 at the ages of 17 and 14. Two years later Joyce gave birth to their first of four sons, Larry, followed by Cary, Gary, and Jerry McAbee. Howard worked as a carpenter for many years before he and Joyce ventured into the mini market business where they went on to build 12 Howard's Mini Markets that are a Bakersfield staple to this day. Howard had a love for collecting and racing cars from a young age and was frequently found off-roading, enjoying the ocean, fishing, and flying airplanes. While he enjoyed many hobbies, nothing compared to his greatest loves Joyce, their sons, and their many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

Howard faced all the experiences this life had to offer with incredible patience, strength, humility, and was the glue that held his family together even through the loss of his son Cary in 1990 and beloved wife Joyce in 2019. As he handled all things, Howard remained strong and brave in his last days here on earth surrounded by the ones he loved. His family feels at peace knowing he is back home in Joyce's loving arms, watching over them like he always has.

He is survived by his brother Winton and sisters Norma and Sandra, his son Larry and wife Candi, Gary, Jerry and wife Kimberly, and his 20 grand and greatgrandchildren.

Howard will be laid to rest along side his wife Joyce and their son Cary at Hillcrest Memorial Park on May 24, 2022 at 10am, located at 9101 Kern Canyon Rd in Bakersfield. A celebration of life will be held at the home of Larry and Candi McAbee on May 28, 2022, all who loved Howard are encouraged to attend and celebrate his life.