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ELWIN C. HOWARD
December 29, 1915 ~ January 16, 2013
Elwin C. Howard died peacefully on January 16, 2013, with family by his side. He was 97 years old. Elwin was born in Spokane, WA, December 29, 1915, to Frank and Stella Howard. At the age of 12, his family moved to the railroad town of Wishram, WA, where he later pursued a career with the SP&S Railroad. He met Shirley James in 1948, a young Northern Pacific telegrapher working at Pasco, WA. They married and lived ten years in Wishram, WA, before moving their young family to Vancouver. Elwin, a Conductor, worked both freight and passenger trains during his 46 years of railroading. He felt very fortunate to have earned his living in a job that he loved.
His woodworking skills blessed each family member with custom-made grandfather clocks, along with numerous pieces of beautiful furniture. He attended Columbia Presbyterian Church for 48 years and used his skills as he painted, repaired, and lovingly served his Lord in that very building. A man of great integrity and character, he taught his family lessons of thoughtful living through actual modeling and seldom used many words.
Elwin was a 32nd degree Mason with the Scottish Rite Valley of Portland for over 50 years, a member of Masonic Lodge #31, Goldendale, WA, the UTU Railroad Brotherhood, Afifi Shrine of Tacoma, the Elk's Lodge #823, and the Burlington Northern Veteran's Association.
Elwin is survived by his wife, Shirley; his daughters, Donna Jacky (Dave) and Marilyn Lunde of Vancouver; five grandchildren, Bobby Jacky (Kristi) and Kate Jacky (Scott), Brent Lunde (Erinn), Scott Lunde, and Kelly Lunde; one great-granddaughter, Audrey Lunde; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Elwin was laid to rest on January 21st at Fairmont Memorial Cemetery in Spokane, WA. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on February 16th at Columbia Presbyterian Church in Vancouver.
Donations may be made to the Shriners Children's Hospital in Portland, OR, or Columbia Presbyterian Church in Vancouver, WA.
Please sign his Guest Book at www.columbian.com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
To The Howard Family:
Elwin was the greatest neighbor anyone could ask for and I loved him to pieces.
He will never be forgotten.
Love, Carla
February 14, 2013
To Shirley and Family. I knew Elwin a long time ago and there wasn't a nicer person. My Father, Tony Lewis, worked with Elwin and thought very highly of him. I.m just sorry that I didn't keep in touch. I.m glad that he had a long and productive life and is now enjoying the fruits of his labor.
Ray (Newell) Lewis
February 11, 2013
We met Mr. Howard as he faithfully walked in our neighborhood. What a great man.
Sorry for your loss.
Kathy Lamb
February 11, 2013
john jones
February 11, 2013
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