Gary Richard "Pappa" Howard

Gary Richard Howard was born on June 1, 1953, in San Antonio, Texas to George Bennie (Ben) Howard and Doris Powel Howard.

He attended grade school in San Antonio before moving with his family to Rockport, Texas in 1971 where he graduated from Rockport-Fulton High School. Gary attended college at Howard Payne University for two years, majoring in Church Music, before moving with his family to Denver Colorado where he attended Metropolitan State University.

He met his wife Patricia Charlene DeCamp at Applewood Baptist Church in Wheat Ridge, Colorado and the two were married on June 5, 1976.

In 1979, they moved back to Rockport where he began his career in law enforcement with the Aransas County Sheriff's Department. He then moved to the Rockport Police Department where he worked for 30 years. During that time, he received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and his Master of Public Administration from Texas A&M University and was Commander of the Criminal Investigation division until his retirement in 2008.

Gary was a founding member of The Rockport's Gospel Force Quartet and sang baritone with them for 26 years. He was also instrumental in creating the Rockport Gospel Music Festival, sharing his passion for Southern Gospel music to the people of South Texas for nearly 30 years.

Gary is survived by his beloved wife Patricia (Patty) Howard. He leaves behind his dearly loved sons, Mark David Howard and Stephen Richard Howard and his treasured daughter-in-love, Kristin Spires. He is also survived by his older brother, Phil Howard (St. Louis); sister-in-law, Darlene (Steven) Owens (Kissimmee, FL); and several nieces and nephews. He was known as Pappa to his only grandson, Cameron Marrs.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Doris and Ben Howard; in-laws, Marlene and David DeCamp; and sister-in-law, Sharon Howard.

Memorial services will be held at 2 PM, Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Trinity Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. John Wheat.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Baptist Church, ''Bless to Bless'' 800 Jackson Rd., Kerrville, TX 78028 or Peterson Hospice, 250 Cully Dr., Kerrville, TX 78028.