Howard Lee Tolbert

Howard Lee Tolbert of Belton, MO, son of Ora and Hazel (Plumlee) Tolbert, was born January 31, 1944, in Ance Creek, Stone County, MO, and departed this life on December 10, 2025, at the age of 81. He was a 1962 graduate of Reeds Spring High School and married Patricia Jane (Robinson) Tolbert on June 2, 1963.

Howard's professional career centered in the telecommunications industry, where he worked for AT&T primarily in sales and network engineering, and he later held a role in network provisioning with Sprint Corp.

Howard's happy place was anywhere he could spend time with the people he loved. He cherished time working, playing, hunting, and fishing at his farm with his grandson Ryan; sharing moments-whether doing something or nothing at all-with his daughter Michele; enjoying his wife Pat's nurturing (and spoiling) nature and her great cooking; and relaxing to country music or classic westerns on TV.

Howard is survived by his loving wife of 62 years Pat Tolbert; his daughter Michele White and her husband Tony; his grandson Ryan Pirner and his partner Zaden Cochran; two sisters, Betty Page and Rita Stephens; and sister-in-law Vickie Robinson. He is also remembered with love by many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents Ora and Hazel Tolbert; sisters-in-law Roberta Hall and Barbara Muntzert; brothers-in-law Leon Page and Rod Stephens; and son-in-law Larry Pirner.

Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, with a memorial service to honor Howard's life at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel at Cullen Funeral Home, 612 W. Foxwood Dr, Raymore, MO 64083. Officiating the service is Reverend Victor W. Boll of South Haven Baptist Church, Belton, MO.

Honoring Howard's wishes, a portion of his ashes will be placed in the locations most meaningful to him: alongside his parents' gravesite at Yocum Pond Cemetery in his childhood hometown of Reeds Spring, MO; at his farm in Rescue, MO; and at the Belton Cemetery in his hometown of more than five decades, Belton, MO.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278