Joe Ruffus Howard Sr.

Joe Ruffus Howard, Sr., 84, of Rudy, passed away Monday, August 21, 2023. He was born April 30, 1939 in Arkoma to the late James and Bertha (Miller) Howard. He attended Arkoma School District and graduated from Spiro High School in 1957. Joe married Betty Louise Crowder on May 27, 1961; they were happily married for 62 years.
Joe worked for the Arkhola Block Plant in Fort Smith, and Humble Oil Company in Canadian, TX. He served with the 188th Air National Guard and was their facility manager for 17 years. After retirement in 1978, he spent several years working for his son at Fort City Motors, as well as remodeling investment properties. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Van Buren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Jimmie Lou Slater and Wilma L. Kremers; and a brother, Wilberton E. (Gene) Howard.
He is survived by his wife Betty Howard of the home; two sons, Joe R. Howard, Jr. and wife Tammy of Van Buren, and Dale Wayne Howard and wife Dee Dee of Rudy; five grandchildren, Brad Howard, Michael Howard, Kelci Fulmer, Hatlee West, and Cayde West, five great-grandchildren, Reece and Raelee Fulmer, Alaina and Michael Howard, Jr., and Jasmine Adams; a sister-in-law, Kay Crowder of Rudy; a niece and nephew, Donna Jean Dahlem and Jimmy Dean Slater; and several great-nieces and -nephews.
Funeral service will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, August 26, 2023 Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR. Pastors Chris Johnson and Pepper Bourlon will be officiating.
Pallbearers will be Brad Howard, Michael Howard, Anthony Fulmer, Cayde West, Jerrod Crockett, and Randy Brock.
The family will visit with friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 24, 2023, at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR.