Gary Lee Howser

In Loving Memory of Gary Lee Howser July 25, 1949 – November 22, 2025 Orange City, Florida
Gary Lee Howser lived a life rich with music, adventure, and unwavering spirit. Born in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to Lloyd Earl Howser and Esther Lillian Beck Howser, he carried forward the legacy of passion and strength they instilled in him.
Music was one of Gary's greatest joys-a gift he inherited from his father. From playing tuba in his school band to strumming his acoustic and electric guitars, music accompanied him throughout his life. It brought him joy and connected him to the people he loved.
Adventure was at the heart of Gary's spirit. For a time, he lived aboard his sailboat, which he kept in a marina but navigated fearlessly to the Bahamas and back-solo. That journey tested his courage and left him with stories he shared with laughter. However, the sudden violent storm he experienced on his return trip led to his decision that his future trips would be in the calmer waters of the Intracoastal Waterways. His love of motorcycles, especially Harley-Davidsons, carried him across endless miles of open road, while his camper allowed him to explore the beauty of the United States from coast to coast.
Gary's sense of duty was deeply rooted in his family's tradition of military service. At just 18, he joined the U.S. Army and trained with the 101st Airborne Division-the famed Screaming Eagles. He served bravely in Vietnam as part of the long-range reconnaissance patrol unit known as Tiger Force, completing his tour in 1969. His service honored the legacy of his grandfather, father, uncle, and cousins who served in the Air Force, Army, and Navy.
Beyond his service and adventures, Gary was a gifted carpenter and craftsman whose work lives on in the homes he helped build. His skill as a carpenter and craftsman left lasting beauty in the homes he helped build, a testament to his creativity and hard work.
Gary was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents and both his parents.
Gary is survived by his daughters, Jennifer Beth Phillips and Amy-Noelle Shih; his four grandchildren, Morgan Rose O'Connell and husband Aidan Mc Teigue O'Connell, Jeffery Shane Phillips II and wife Kristin Lynn Phillips, Parker Steve Phillips, and Baylen Draken Shih; three great-grandchildren, Reece Terrence O'Connell, Amelia Grace Phillips, and Emmett James O'Connell; and his sister, Carolyn Howser Maidon, and her husband, Charles Randall Maidon.
Gary's life was filled with stories, laughter, and a genuine sense of joy. He will be remembered for the wholehearted way he embraced life-through music, travel, craftsmanship, and family.
A military graveside service honoring Gary's life and service will be held at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida, on Tuesday, December 9, at 12:30 p.m. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gary, please visit our floral store.