Kenneth Eric Howe Sr.

Kenneth Eric Howe Sr. was born November 21, 1948 in Syracuse New York. Two weeks after birth, he moved into the same house he would later leave in 1967 to join the military. He served in the US Army from March 1968-August 1976. He attended US Army Military Intelligence School, volunteered to serve in Vietnam to prevent his brother David's assignment to Vietnam, and worked as a drill sergeant, among other roles.

He was married in 1969 and his first son, Ken Jr., was born in 1970. Several moves and years later, in Albuquerque New Mexico, Ken returned to church and committed his life to Jesus on January 25, 1975. This decision marked the beginning of a life dedicated to faith and service. In 1976, he divorced and left the Army with many awards and commendations, including the National Defense Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal with Oak leaf, Bronze Star and a Meritorious Service Medal.

He graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Albuquerque in 1980. He moved to Denver Colorado in 1980, where he worked in many roles (banking, deputy sheriff, bookstore manager) and where he married Carrie on December 20, 1980, becoming "Pop" to her two young daughters, Jennifer and Suzie. In 1981, son Joshua was born. The family of five moved in January 1987 to Jeffersonville Indiana for Ken to attend Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he received a Master of Divinity in 1990.

He worked in a variety of social work and counseling roles, even starting his own circuit rider church counseling service, "Servant's Heart." Much of his time was spent at church (Walnut Street Baptist Church and Eastpoint Community Church, most recently), where he could be found in fellowship with others, running broadcast and sound equipment or filling in on any jobs that needed to be done.

Ken was committed to a life of service – to country, to community, to church congregation, to family and to Jesus. His faith was integral to his life, and he was so excited to know that he would one day meet Jesus.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Peter Howe. He is survived by his wife, Carrie; 5 brothers and sisters; countless nieces and nephews; son Ken Jr., stepdaughter Jennifer Stewart (Scott); stepdaughter Suzie Cozart (Sean); son Josh (Sandra); grandchildren Morgan, Abby , Iris, Ruby, Theo, Joan, and Vieve.

To those who knew and loved him, he was the devoted and loving husband to Carrie whose life will not be the same without him; he was the drill sergeant whose eyes would well up at a poignant commercial; the chimney sweep who mowed the lawn in a tie; the stubborn 70-something who would climb to cut down tree branches or kneel on the floor to tape down wires for AV equipment at
church. He could have a conversation with anyone (and often did), but he would just as happily sit with a pipe in one hand and a book in the other.

These are the ways we will remember Ken. And to him we say – remember who loves you.