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BORN
1929
DIED
2025
Howard Lovelady Obituary
August 15, 1929 - May 26, 2025
Granbury, Texas - Howard Lee Lovelady, 95, of Granbury, Texas, passed away peacefully in his sleep, after a short illness, on the early morning of Memorial Day, May 26, 2025, to join his beloved wife, Winette, in eternity.
Born August 15, 1929, in Santa Anna, Texas, Howard was the only child of Howard D, and Maude Lillie (Cozart) Lovelady. He grew up immersed in farm life, graduating from Santa Anna High School in 1947, and attended John Tarleton Agriculture College.
After Tarleton, Howard went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad for a brief time before being drafted into the US Army, where he served in the Korean War. Howard was proud of his service, fellow soldiers, and his country.
Upon returning from overseas, Howard resumed his career with Santa Fe, where he worked until his retirement in 1990. A railroad man to the core, Howard loved his career and the opportunities it afforded him, including working in Amarillo for a short time where he met his future wife Winette and her young daughter Vicki, who started their new life together with his first Santa Fe move to Chicago, IL.
Howard and Winette lived in several places they loved throughout his career and their 50-year marriage. They ultimately realized their lifelong dream of lake life, retiring in Granbury, Texas. Here, Howard enjoyed the best part of his life, living out his passions: fishing, following college football, forging wonderful friendships, volunteering, and was an active member of The First Presbyterian Church. He particularly loved trips to visit his grandkids, never tiring of all day playtime, high school performances and especially thrived on their activities while they attended nearby TCU.
Howard's life was filled with service, loyalty and profound love for life, family and friends. He will be remembered for his kindness, his quick wit, humor, and his 'glass half full' outlook.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife Winette. He is survived by his daughter Vicki (Don) Paavilainen and his grandchildren, Russell Wharton and Valerie Wharton. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Joe (Mary) Sykes and his cousin Randal (Ronda) Lovelady.
Services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Granbury at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday June 11. A reception will follow at the church Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcome to a charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Howard Lovelady
Sponsored by the Star-Telegram.
4 Entries
Bill Heath
June 13, 2025
Howard was a very good friend, a good co-worker and a gentleman. We shared many good times together with he and Winette . His positive attitude was always evident and I will miss our telephone conversations over the years. Bill Heath
Jim Bierd
June 8, 2025
When Howard was in the Power Bureau is where I met him, on the telephone. Never met him personally but he was always a pleasure to work with and always very respectful. Rest in peace Howard!
Tom Rigg
June 8, 2025
It is truly sad to find out that my friend has passed. I started my career with Santa Fe as the special agent in Fort Madison and quickly learned what a wonderful person Howard was. He was a "go to" person and when tasked by my Division Special Agent to learn all I could, Howard taught me about dispatching. I was allowed to sit with the dispatchers as they did the jobs, which I later learned was not allowed, but he knew it was the quickest way to learn and be accepted as the newest "elephant tracker" on the railroad. Even when I was off in force, I could stop by and have a cup of coffee. When I finally got to Kansas City, after the layoff and 22 months in Colorado, there was Howard, doing what he could to make sure I had an intermodal train to get to Fort Madison for myb2 days off, then back to Argentine to get to work immediately. In all honesty I wish there would have been a way to repay his kindness, but just hearing "thank you" was all the reward he needed. Between Howard and former Division Superintendent Bill Heath, I could not have asked for better mentors at Santa Fe. Thank you, Howard! You taught me more about life than simply how to dispatch trains. You taught me how to treat people the way they should be treated.
Jim Wilson
June 7, 2025
I worked with Howard at the Santa Fe. He was a good rail, a great person, and fun to interact with. He will be missed. Condolences to family and friends. Jim Wilson Houston Tx
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