Gary Wayne Howard

1946 - 2024

Gary Wayne Howard

April 18, 1946 - October 3, 2024

Gary Howard passed away peacefully on October 3, 2024, in Overland Park, Kansas, at the age of 78.

Gary Wayne Howard was born April 18, 1946 to Wayne and Lila (Mitchell) Howard in Sioux City, Iowa. The eldest of three brothers, Gary was a loving and protective sibling to Randy and Kirk. He carried this sense of family and duty throughout his life.

A proud veteran, Gary served in the United States Navy Seabees from 1966 to 1968, demonstrating commitment and honor in his service to his country. In 1968, he married his beloved wife, Sue Nichols, with whom he shared over five decades of love and partnership. Together, they raised two cherished children, Kristin and Trent, who remained the center of his life.

As the owner of Wayne's Service in Moville, Iowa, Gary took great pride in serving the local farming community. His work extended beyond business, as he built strong relationships with the farmers and helped support their livelihoods through his dedicated service. He retired in 2014 after a long and fulfilling career.

Gary had many passions in life, including his love for the outdoors, where he enjoyed fishing, ice fishing, and hunting. He especially loved boating on the Missouri River, where he taught countless people how to water-ski. Known for his resourcefulness, Gary had a knack for fixing just about anything, a skill that endeared him to many.

He also found great enjoyment in honing his marksmanship, participating in Western Iowa Tech's pistol proficiency training every winter. After retiring, he moved to Eufaula, Oklahoma, in 2014 to embrace the lake life he treasured.

In 2021, as his health declined, Gary relocated to the Kansas City area to be closer to family, where he continued to receive their love and support.

Gary is survived by his devoted wife, Sue; his children, Kristin (Lenexa, KS) and Trent (Edmond, OK); his son-in-law and daughter-in-law, Matt and Lisa; his grandchildren, Charlie, Beau, Clark, and Colby; his brothers, Randy and Kirk; and a large, loving network of family and friends. He will be remembered for his warmth, generosity, love of adventure, and his incredible ability to fix anything. His memory lives on in the hearts of those he touched.

A celebration of Gary's life will take place at a later date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (lbda.org).