Dr. Timothy Michael Howard

1961 - 2016

HOWARD On April 26, 2016, while surrounded by family, Dr. Timothy Michael Howard was called to the Lord. Tim graduated Merced High School in 1979, and thereafter attended Merced JC and CSU, Fresno, where he obtained both Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Psychology. He continued his education, earning an MBA from Rockhurst University and Doctor of Osteopathy from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, achieving a lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. Tim was a paramedic for many years. Dr. Howard was a graduate of the University of Iowa family medicine residency program at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines. He worked with Locum Tenens as an emergency room physician for rural Iowa hospitals. He later completed a fellowship in sports medicine at the Agility Center, Bentonville and was a team doctor for the NWArkansas Naturals, affiliate of the Kansas City Royals baseball organization. A non-smoker, Tim moved back to California in 2013 after being diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer. Despite that condition, Tim practiced with Dr. Robert Butler in Merced, California as a primary care physician. Although Tim passed after just 54 plus years, he had an extremely active life. In high school, Tim played (and later coached) football and was a diver on the swimming team, participating on championship teams in each sport. He also enjoyed camping, golf, skiing, fishing, badminton, ping pong, cards, and just about any sport or competition in which he had a chance of beating you. Tim was also a mentor to many throughout his life. He volunteered at Shelby School in Merced for several years. He led CCD programs as well as confirmation classes as part of the Catholic Community of Merced. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was a communion minister. He took extra time to tutor other students during all levels of his education and employment, especially as a physician. Tim was a perfectionist, and although he did not expect you to be one, he wanted to help you to become one. Tim loved and served our country as a member of the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps. Those familiar with Tim know he was outspoken and philosophical, and would converse or debate on any subject for as many hours or days as necessary to convince you of the strength of his opinion or viewpoint. Dr. Tim is survived by his fiance Christina (Christie) Horton and her son Grant Horton and dogs Bailey and Boomer, his parents and 8 siblings. His 3 year battle against cancer is documented at caringbridge.com. Tim's family would like to especially thank all those family and friends who followed Tim's journey on Facebook with numerous posts of encouragement, prayer, and kindness and medical teams in Fayetteville, Arkansas, UC Davis-Merced, and Stanford Health Center for their outstanding care, and especially to Dr. Robert Butler. A celebration of Tim's life will take place during the Feast of the Ascension Mass at St. Patrick's Church on Yosemite Avenue at 5 p.m. on May 5, which also coincides with the day Christie and Tim were to be joined in marriage. A reception at 5548 Fleming Road, Atwater, California will follow the Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donation in Dr. Tim's name be made to the Cancer Research Institute www.cancerresearch.org.