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John Daniel Howard
1955 - 2025
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John Howard Obituary
12/30/1955 - 10/14/2025
John Daniel Howard, 69, passed away on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. The family will receive friends from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Sunday, October 19, 2025 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Monday, October 20, 2025 at Bellview Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.
John was born on December 30, 1955 in Childress, Texas to Milton and Irene Howard. He was affectionately called "Little John" by his dad until his dad's passing. As a boy, stray dogs always seemed to follow him home where his mom had a tub of homemade strawberry ice cream waiting for him. John was active in Little League and in all sports in high school. He was known as "Golden Toe", the kicker for the Childress High School Bobcats his senior year. After graduation in 1974, John attended Texas Tech University where he graduated with a B.S. in Business Management in 1979. He always told people he crammed 4 years into 5.
John married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Kay (Patty) Sprayberry, on August 16, 1975. They recently celebrated 50 years of marriage and took a cruise to Alaska to memorialize the occasion. They were blessed with three beautiful daughters. After spending 17 years living in Lubbock, they moved to Midland where they have made their home for the past 33 years.
John worked in management for several companies before his retirement from Hy-bon Engineering in 2021. During his short retirement years, John enjoyed watching his grandkids play various sports, attending school functions and all around being there for his daughters and grandkids in any way they needed.
John is survived by his wife Patty Howard of Midland; daughters, Kristi Criswell and Delton Petty of Midland, Kelli and Brian Colbath of Cedar Hill, and Kati and Monty Goodman of Midland; grandchildren Brantley and Cooper Criswell, Bailey, Barrett, Brooks and Burkleigh Colbath, Kasen and Weston Goodman; great niece Maggie Medders and great nephew Tyson Medders who are also considered grandchildren; brother Frank Howard and wife Nancy Howard of Liberty Hill. He is also survived by his beloved in-laws; Betty and Charlie Farnham, Mary and Steve Williams, Jennilyn and Ricki Crenshaw, Joe Sprayberry and Ron Moore. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their children.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Irene and Milton Howard and his brother Steve Howard.
Pallbearers are Brian Colbath, Delton Petty, Monty Goodman, Charlie Farnham, Ricki Crenshaw, Steve Williams, Tyrell Medders, Dale Pierce, and Sam Farris. Honorary pallbearers will be Kasen Goodman, Barrett Colbath, Brantley Criswell, Tyson Medders, Cooper Criswell, Brooks Colbath, and Weston Goodman.
The Howard family is overwhelmed and so appreciative of all the support and love that has been shown.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memorial Events
for John Howard
Oct
19
Funeral services provided by:
Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory - Midland3800 N. Big Spring St., Midland, TX 79705
Memories and Condolences
for John Howard
3 Entries
Mark C. Parr
October 16, 2025
I have known John Daniel sense the 2nd grade. We seemed to always be friends.
We both liked to build model cars when we were kids.
It became a competition. A friendly one but a competition just the same.
John's models were always just a little better than mine. His paint jobs were unbelievable.
One afternoon I was at his house and noticed he had just finished a new model. But it was still in the white! Not painted. John noticed that I noticed and began ton squirm a little. I said "Hey John Daniel, what's up? Why is your car not painted?"
John grinned and stammered. Well, to tell the truth, dad always paints my models after I finish building them.
Now for reference, John's dad was the head sign painter for the Highway Department. He could letter like no one I have ever seen. A three foot long perfectly straight line! Even on the side of a tanker truck. No wonder John's models were always better than mine.
I love you John Daniel...I will miss you greatly.
Patty and the girls. I am so sorry for your loss.
May God hold you in his arms and give you comfort in these most trying times.
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