Dwayne Howze

Dwayne Montgomery Howze October 12, 1937 - January 10, 2013 Resident of Los Altos Dwayne Montgomery Howze passed peacefully at home on January 10, 2013, surrounded by his loving family. He spent the last days of his life cherishing his family & friends, passionately watching football and exchanging sweet kisses with his beautiful wife of 50+ years. Dwayne is survived by the love of his life, his wife Anna; his children Jeffrey, Chris and Darren; his dear daughter in law, Colleen; and his grandchildren, Gabrielle and Jakeson, and his sister Coleen. Dwayne is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Oleta, and his older brother, Charles. Born in French Camp, CA., Dwayne was raised in Manteca, CA where he graduated from Manteca Union High in 1955. From his earliest days on a working farm & fueled by a life-long love of learning, he was someone who could fix anything or readily engineer and fabricate a solution. At 16, along with his friends, Dwayne built by hand the infamous "Hot Canary" speedboat, a wood-crafted Chris-Craft style speedboat for trick-skiing & waterskiing. Dwayne was also a gifted athlete & natural leader that captained multiple championship teams for varsity football, basketball and track resulting in numbering college scholarship offers. In 1954, Dwayne set a California State Record for the pole vault, which still stands to this day. Later in life, he generously shared his sporting expertise & wonderful character by coaching many of his children's sports teams throughout the 80's & 90's. After High School, Dwayne joined the Air Force in 1956 to serve his country. He was quickly promoted to the prestigious Strategic Air Command at Bergstrom A.F.B. in Austin, Texas due to his innate mechanical-engineering talents, solution sourcing abilities and life-long love of aerospace technologies. In this capacity, he eventually served as Crew Chief supervising a team who built the fastest interceptor jet in the world, the F-101 Voodoo. In 1958 Dwayne was awarded the esteemed U.S.A.F. Commendation Medal for breaking the World Air Speed Record and meritorious service. After finishing his military service with distinction, Dwayne went to work for United Airlines in 1960. This was also the time that Dwayne found the love of his life, Miss Anna Marie Souza. Very much in love, they were married on February 25, 1962 at St. Anthony's Church in Manteca, CA., and began their love affair of 50+ years. Anna & Dwayne eventually moved to Los Altos in 1970 where they devotedly raised their family and greatly enhanced the community. Dwayne worked for United Airlines for 40 years and was thoroughly passionate about his work. He was universally respected and appreciated by his peers for his unparalleled expertise & knowledge, rock-solid leadership, good-natured integrity and trust-worthy friendship. Dwayne thoroughly enjoyed being with family and friends; all sporting endeavors; entertaining and hosting parties; camping, waterskiing & house-boating; and he travelled extensively throughout North America, Canada, Alaska, Mexico, Hawaii, Latin America, The Caribbean, The Azores, The Mediterranean and Western Europe. Dwayne was also active in the U.A.L. Mainliner Club, a Grand Lodge Member of The International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers, a High Patriarch of Le Mob and a member of the St. Williams Parrish in Los Altos, CA. Above all, Dwayne approached life with a warm, easy manner, insightful intelligence, humor and a high degree of personal character. All our love & appreciation to a wonderful husband, devoted father, trusted friend & an inspiring teacher! A funeral mass, followed by a reception at The Howze Family residence, will be held Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 12/noon at St. Williams Church in Los Altos (650)559-2080. For condolences to the family, kindly contact Spangler Mortuary in Los Altos, CA. (650)948-6619 / www.spanglermortuary.com.