DR. RONALD A. HOWARD, JR.
11/25/1943 - 12/31/2022
Dr. Ronald Allen Howard, Jr. of Cypress, Texas entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 31, 2022 after a protracted battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Ron, 79, was born on November 25, 1943 to
Ronald Allen Howard, Sr. and Sarah Aldine Howard (nee Patterson) in Bradford, PA. After graduating from Bradford High School, he went on to receive bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Baylor University before earning a Ph.D. from Cornell University.
During his time at Baylor University, he met the love of his life, Sylvia Susie Jeanfreau, whom he married in 1965, the day after graduation. After moving to Ithaca, NY to pursue his doctorate, Ron and Susie started their family, eventually having their three sons – Stephen, William, and Richard.
As his family grew, he embarked on a rewarding, life-long career in Agricultural Extension, a field that alloyed his academic pursuits with his love of all things outdoors. Over the next 40 years as a 4-H Youth Extension Specialist, Ron taught courses in ecology, led birding expeditions, mentored others in outdoorsmanship, and coached shooting sports and hunter education through the 4-H programs in New York (Cornell), Indiana (Purdue), and Texas (Texas A&M). His work with 4-H had broad impacts with Ron being one of three founders of the national 4-H shooting sports program. He also has a lasting legacy in developing hunter education curriculum throughout the country. After retiring from Texas A&M University, he continued in these pursuits in an advisory role and became even more active serving with Susie in their home church, Grace Bible, as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and mentor.
He was a kind, gentle, supportive man who loved God, his family, and his friends. He had a patient ear and his huge laugh that welcomed everyone to him. His life-long loves of learning, hunting, fishing, birding, hiking, woodworking, and storytelling permeated all of his relationships. He was beloved by his family who dearly miss his wisdom and kindness.
Ron was predeceased by his parents, Ron and Sarah, and his sister, Judy. He is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, three sons and their wives (Chrisana, Leslie, and Amy), eight grandchildren (Jack, Max, Luke, Miah, Isaac, Madeline, Jesse, and Vivianne) and his brothers, William and Richard. A memorial service will be held in his honor at Brookside Funeral Home Champions in Houston, Texas on January 28 at 11:00 AM. Those wishing to honor Ron may consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, Baptist Missionary Association of Texas, or Baylor University General Scholarship Fund.