Douglas Lon Howry

1943 - 2017

Douglas Lon Howry
(1943 - 2017)

Douglas Lon Howry, passed away on September 20, 2017, after a battle with Parkinson's disease.

Doug was born on March 3, 1943 in Culver City, the son of Lon and Neva Howry. He attended Culver City High School, where he met the love of his life, Leslie. Doug played varsity basketball, while Leslie was a cheerleader and his biggest fan. Doug graduated high school in 1961 with many friends he still kept in contact with throughout his life. Doug and Leslie married in Santa Monica, CA, in 1964. Son, Scott was born in 1968, and daughters, Caprice and Shannon were born in 1970 and 1976, respectively.

During these years, both before and after they were married, Doug was a big LA sports fan enjoying USC, Rams, Dodgers and Laker games with Leslie, his children and friends and spent many trips catching a quick bite at Tito's Tacos in Culver City and outings to Venice Beach.

Professionally, after high school and a brief period of college, Doug began his long tenure into the title insurance business beginning at West Coast Title in Los Angeles in 1962. Doug quickly worked his way up to title officer, where he continued until 1973, then accepting a new opportunity to move to and manage a new office in Bakersfield called Stewart West Coast Title Company in 1973. In 1981, Doug took on another new challenge and headed back to LA to manage the Los Angeles Stewart Title office. For 4 years, Doug and his family lived in Agoura Hills before venturing back to Bakersfield in 1985 to once again manage a Bakersfield title company office. Doug managed Bakersfield title company offices all the way until he retired as the manager of Ticor Title, after 46 years in the title business in 2008, where he was loved by so many. Doug's friendships with those he worked with extended from his co-workers, to numerous building contractors, real estate agents, bankers, and developers throughout Kern County. It is no wonder he had so many who loved him, friends will tell you that Doug never had a bad word to say about anyone.

After moving to Bakersfield in 1973, Doug and Leslie joined the Northside Tennis Club and met their longtime family friends Jim and Diane Windes, as well as Terry and Danny Pelham. For over 25 years, the Howrys, Windes and Pelhams and their kids played and grew up together playing various sports and taking trips including annual family summer trips to Lake Tahoe.

Doug really enjoyed playing golf and stream fly fishing in his spare time. He was a long time member of Stockdale Country Club where he met many close friends and he loved his weekly games with Jerry and Terry Karr, Geoff King and Mark Engelien. His golf trips included many rounds golfing with the Windes in Morro Bay, Lake Tahoe and Maui as well as a great trip with the Engeliens to Ireland to play St Andrews in 2002, with one of his highlights of the trip, a birdie on the 18 road hole!

During his later years, you would never hear Doug complain about anything. Doug instead fought his illness with courage and focused on the positives of life and was thrilled to spend time with his wife, children and his grandchildren Hunter, Amber, London, Siena, Andrew, Isabelle, and Cash, all providing him much joy and excitement, at family dinners, trips and the grandkids' school and sporting events. Grandpa Doug was very proud indeed.

Doug is survived by his loving wife of 53 years Leslie, his children Scott (Daughter-in-Law Diana), Caprice and Shannon (Son-in-Law Ken Patnode), grandchildren Hunter, Amber, London, Siena, Andrew, Isabelle, and Cash. He is also survived by brothers Steve (Sister-in-Law Debbie), Dennis (Sister-in-Law Shelly), Lloyd and Tom, sister Suzy (Brother-in-Law Steve Hubbard), Mother-in-Law Gloria Apcar, Brother-in-Law Mike Apcar, and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces. Doug was predeceased by his parents Lon and Neva Howry, and his brother Randy, who were his first greeters in heaven. Doug will be greatly missed by his family and friends who loved him very much, and we look forward to seeing him again soon, as we know where to find him on paradise's golf courses and streams.

Doug's family would like to thank all of his many friends who cared about Doug and visited him during his illness, he appreciated everyone so much. Doug's family would like to give a special thanks to Doug's friend Michael Daillak for his heroism in saving Doug's life after a heart attack that resulted in Doug spending 5 more years with his family.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2pm on Friday, September 29, 2017, at Greenlawn Southwest, 2739 Panama Lane, Bakersfield, CA. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, you may choose to donate to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research in Doug's memory.