David Michael Howard

David Michael (Mike) Howard was born in Davis, Oklahoma April 27, 1946, and was raised in Ardmore, Oklahoma by Georgia (Davis) and Gene Howard. He passed from this life on April 20, 2022, at the age of 75.
Mike was a graduate of the Ardmore High School class of 1965. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and was assigned to the 377th Security Police Squadron. Mike served one year in the Vietnam War stationed at the Tan Son Nhut Airbase in Vietnam as a Sentry Dog Handler until returning to the United States in 1968. On January 25, 1969, he married the love of his life, Jeannie Woodward, at the Methodist Church of Springer. From this marriage, they had two daughters, Ginger and Kim. Mike began working for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Norman, Oklahoma as a field repair technician before transferring to Ardmore, Oklahoma, where he retired in 2001.
Like his father, Mike was a member of the Dirty Dozen Fishing Club, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He spent his life caring for animals and had a sincere passion for his cattle herd and the many dogs he used on his farm. He was a proud member of the Gene Autry Community, the Gene Autry Methodist Church, and the Gene Autry Roping Club. Mike's proudest job was being a father and grandfather. He truly loved watching his daughters and grandchildren playing sports or any other activities they participated in as children or adults.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Gene and Georgia Howard; brother Steve Howard; and nephew Chad Gragg.
He is survived by his wife Jeannie Howard of the home; daughters Ginger Cothran and husband Brian of Tishomingo, OK, Kim Bazzrea and her husband Janson of Springer OK; grandchildren Macy Johnson and her husband Lane, Cody Cothran, and Hunter Bazzrea; and nieces and nephews Stephanie Norton, Jaren St. Clair, Heath Gragg, Ty Runyan, and Taylor Runyan.
Pallbearers will be Brian Cothran, Janson Bazzrea, Keith Stuart, Heath Gragg, Ty Runyan, Cody Cothran, Hunter Bazzrea, and Lane Johnson. Honorary Pallbearers will be Hal Cheek, Bill Russell, Colt Cheek, Justin Greenwood, Trevor Raper, Brandt Allen, and his brothers from the US Air Force 377th Security Forces Squadron K9 Handlers.
Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, April 25th at 10:00 a.m. at the Craddock Memorial Chapel. Internment will follow at Gene Autry Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Craddock Funeral Home.
The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Berwyn/Gene Autry Cemetery Fund.