Kenneth E. Howard Jr.

1936 - 2022

Kenneth E. Howard, Jr.
August 18, 1936 - February 5, 2022
Kansas City, Kansas - Kenneth Eugene Howard Jr., 85, of Kansas City, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, surrounded by family.
Kenneth was born on Aug. 18, 1936, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Kenneth and Marie Howard. He worked for 40 years for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. before retiring in 1998. He was a 46-year member of the Maywood Community Church, where he served as board chairman, deacon and head of the long-range planning committee that oversaw the addition of the church's community activity center.
On April 29, 1963, Kenneth married Beverly Logan, who lovingly recalls being 18 when she first saw him enter the Ranch Bowl bowling center in Wyandotte County for league competition and instantly fell in love. The couple went on to raise three children, each of whom graduated from the University of Kansas – a life experience that became a broader source of pride for the family. All told, 10 immediate family members – their children and their spouses, along with three grandchildren -- now call KU their alma mater.
A devoted Christian whose faith defined his character, Kenneth also was a committed husband, father and grandfather whose family were his priority, having instilled in them the value of hard work and education. He enjoyed tracking and watching the Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Jayhawks basketball and football.
In addition to his wife Beverly of 58 years, survivors include two daughters, Vonnie and husband Jim Suhr, and Terri and husband Phil Thomas; one son, Kenneth and wife Jane Howard; two sisters, Rosalie Hampton and Ruth Petty; one brother, Terry Howard; and five grandchildren, Taylor (Thomas) Forbes and husband Brady Forbes, Abby Thomas, Lauren Walbert, Nick Howard and Luke Howard.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday February 8 at Maywood Community Church, 11201 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas 66109, followed by services there 11 a.m. to noon. Burial will be in Maywood Cemetery, next to the church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Kenneth's memory may be made to the Maywood Community Church, 11201 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, KS., 66109, or to Catholic Community Hospice, 9740 W. 87th St., Overland Park, KS., 66212. Condolences may be expressed at www.porterfuneralhome.com