Daniel Homer Howard

DANIEL HOMER HOWARD"POPPA" 79, Died peacefully in his sleep September 12, 2009 after fighting Parkinson's disease for 20 years, and is now reunited with his beloved wife. Dan was born October 20, 1929 in El Dorado, Arkansas and said he brought on the Great Depression when he was born. He grew up in Arkansas and moved to Redlands, CA when he was a boy. He attended Redlands Union High School where he played football and quit school in the 10th grade to work as a lumber jack in the saw mills in Garberville. When he was 21, he enlisted in the US Air Force and was stationed at March Air Force Base. Here he earned his GED and served duty in Germany. During this time he pursued amateur boxing and received a broken nose that remained crooked the rest of his life. While in the Air Force he married his sweetheart of 57 years, Wanda. After being discharged from the Air Force his employment included General Electric and Fisher Oil until he was recommended for a job at A.M. Lewis in 1966. This was the job he truly loved. He worked his way up from working in the warehouse to President/CEO of the company. His ethics of treating people fairly and with respect drove him to his success. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, playing poker and cribbage He had a sense of adventure and a heart as big as he was. He was a role model and an inspiration to all who met him. Dan was preceded in death by all of his brothers, sisters, parents and beloved wife. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Ed Bickel, and his two granddaughters whom were his pride and joy, Amy and Carley Bickel. He will be deeply missed as his new journey begins and will be laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery. Services will be held Oct. 3rd at Magnolia Center Church of Christ at 10am. ARRANGEMENTSEntrusted To The Care Of Riverside, CA. (951) 785-4071FD-1276 akesfamilyfuneralhome.com