Edward W. "Ed" O'Howell

Edward William O'Howell was born August 7, 1945, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to William Lee and Mattie D Young O'Howell. He left this world Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, in his home with family there to lovingly say goodbye and we'll see you again. Ed and his family are secure in the knowledge that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
While Ed was a boy, he began working with his father, Willie, in construction, and made construction his lifelong profession. He and Willie built many houses in Cape Girardeau over the years and later he worked in commercial construction. Before retiring, he was in a supervisory role on job sites and was known for being gruff, outspoken and pushing to get jobs done. While Ed didn't always have a gentle manner in managing those he worked with, he was respected, and fun-loving. When at home, he spoke often of the men he worked with. He regretted at times, things he may have said, feeling as though he had not been a good witness. For many of those he worked with in the latter part of his career, he prayed for them to experience salvation through Jesus Christ.
While his family has always seen Ed's primary hobby as working, he did also enjoy antique cars, and, for those who knew him, it goes without saying, tools. He found a church home at Cape County Cowboy Church, a place he enjoyed and where he felt at home, and a congregation who lovingly supported the family through Ed's final earthly journey.
Ed is waiting in heaven to see his wife of 37 years, Kathy; children, Chuck O'Howell of Bowling Green, Missouri, Sherri O'Howell, Ed (Mandy) O'Howell; his precious mother, Mattie O'Howell; his sister, Donna Kay (Mike) Gentry and adopted son Tyler (Heather) Beckett, all from Cape Girardeau County Missouri. He also leaves brothers-in-law Eddy (Rosemary) Swain of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Doug (Rhadie) Swain of Drakesboro, Kentucky; and a sister-in-law, Karen (Jerry) Parks of Henderson, Kentucky. He was blessed with many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and was fortunate to have six grandchildren; one great-grandson; and a dear friend who stuck closer than a brother, Joe (Marilyn) Gilmore of Cape Girardeau.
He was preceded in death by his father, father-in-law, mother-in-law, granddaughter, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
To celebrate Ed's life and share treasured memories, his devoted family invites friends to join them from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, June 8, 2025, at the Elks Lodge (block building) in Cape Girardeau. A meal and soft drinks will be served.
If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests the Cape County Cowboy Church, 220 Orchid Lane, Oak Ridge, MO 63769.
Cremation arrangements by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.
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