Ronald Howard

Denver, NC – Ronald Eugene "Ron" Howard, 65, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, June 12, 2017 while attending a business meeting in Washington, D.C. A resident of Denver, North Carolina, he was a son of Jean Miller Howard and the late Kelly Eugene Howard. Ron was a loving husband, son, father, brother, uncle and grandfather. He was a native of Haywood County and loved his Western North Carolina mountains. Ron graduated from Pisgah High School in 1970 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from Austin Peay University. He attended and was committed to the local and international mission outreach at The Cove Church. He also remained passionately faithful to Spring Hill Baptist church where his faith and trust in God developed as a young child. From an early age, Ron knew he was sent to this earth to help and care for others. He spent a career serving and protecting the great country he loved so deeply. His military service spanned thirty-one years in the United States Army retiring at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 5. He served in various positions/units ranging from an Airborne Infantryman in Vietnam, US Army Air Calvary defending the West German border during the cold war, US Army Special Operations, Aviation Advisor to the American Ambassador in Beirut, Lebanon and Special Projects Officer/Chief Pilot for the Commander US Army Europe. As a member of the US Army 160th Special Operations Regiment, Ron served as a Company level Platoon Leader, Operations Officer and Flight Lead. He also served on the Regimental Staff responsible for creating and supervising significant portions of the Green Platoon Flight Training program and as the Aviation Liaison Officer with a Tier I organization. As a senior Army officer, he served on the Staff of the Commanding General US Army Europe. Ron was responsible for all air operations while also serving as the Commanding General's UH-60 Blackhawk pilot. During the initial implementation phases of the Dayton Peace Accords, Ron established and managed the Commanding IFOR aviation support in the Balkan Theater. From August 1998 until his military retirement, Ron supported the National Assessment Group (NAG) as Project Manager. He was responsible for managing all Special Projects relating to Special Operations Forces and briefed these projects directly to the Deputy Secretary of Defense. Ron woke up every day doing what he loved and knew to be right, working tirelessly and unselfishly for God, his family and his country. Ron founded IOMAX USA, Inc. with his son, KC Howard in 2001. The company is located in Mooresville, North Carolina, and was founded to provide operational support, technology insertions and development for the Department of Defense, Special Operations Forces and other government agencies. In 2008, Ron transitioned IOMAX USA, Inc. into aviation by managing the development of a new air-to-ground weapon system. In 2009, he started discussions with a key U.S. ally and entered into a series of contracts to design, produce and deliver state of the art border patrol aircraft currently assisting in the fight against Global Terrorism. From 2009 until 2017, IOMAX USA grew from a company of 30 to over 200 employees. He built the IOMAX team following the principles of Integrity, Innovation, Teamwork, and Accountability with a mission to provide capabilities to the warfighters to prevail in the fight against evil using the Archangel border patrol aircraft. IOMAX USA, Inc. will proudly continue this legacy. Ron Howard's heart was filled with love for his family. In addition to his mother, Ron is survived by his wife, Mary Battista Howard; two daughters, Jennifer Howard Lee and husband, Brian, of Sherills Ford, and Katherine James and husband, John, of Iron Station; one son, Kelly Cole (KC) Howard and wife, Katie, of Mooresville; one sister, Patricia Howard Caldwell and husband, Robert, of Canton; one brother, Randy Lee Howard and wife, Diane, of Conover; and eight grandchildren; Kelli Lee, Christopher Lee, Madison Howard, Ryan Howard, Kyle Howard, Adelyn James, Haley Lee and Miller James. Few men have had as much of an impact on this world as Ron Howard. His generosity, humility, and values inspired all who knew him. He lived by the scripture found in Luke 12:48. "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked" (Luke 12:48, The Holy Bible, New International Version). Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 19, 2017 at the Charles M. Beall Auditorium at Haywood County Community College with the Reverend Mike Madding and Reverend Chad Sloan officiating. Burial will follow with full military honors at Spring Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until 1:45 p.m. prior to the service in the auditorium lobby. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in honor of Jean Howard and Linda Battista.