Howard Rother

1937 - 2025

Howard Rother

Oct 6, 1937 - Dec 13, 2025

Howard quietly surrendered into the waiting arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ, the evening of December 13 after an unexpected and brief battle with cancer.

Born in Hallettsville, Texas to Ernest and Meladie Rother, Howard grew up as the oldest of eight children and got his start as a hard-working farm hand from a sharecropper family. When asked by one of his grandchildren about his earliest memories, the first thing that came to his mind was standing in the cotton fields and picking cotton. The work ethic that he learned as a young child served him well throughout his life.

After graduating from high school, Howard married his high school sweetheart, Patsy Myrle Kelly, a marriage that lasted 69 years. Capable and determined, he furthered his education at the University of Houston.

The young couple moved to Houston where they raised their two children, Reggie and Randy. While working at Armco Steel, Howard was given an opportunity to learn computers in the early days of that industry. His brilliant math mind led him to a very successful career in the new industry opening the door for him to be a part of the very first "pay at the pump" transaction system.

Howard served as a Deacon at Second Baptist Church in Houston. After moving to College Station, he and Pat were active members of the "The Faithful" Sunday School class at First Baptist Church of Bryan as long as his health allowed.

The family all loved the "lake life", spending many days on the lake in his boat. The Rother clan never lacked for adventure, making great memories competing in rodeos and enjoying motorcycling excursions as well. Howard and his faithful wife were avid fans of Reggie and Randy in all their endeavors and then equally fervent in their support of their grandchildren whether it was football, baseball, basketball, band, cheerleading, gymnastics, tennis, softball or volleyball.

Howard was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Rother; mother, Meladie Rother; brother, Ronnie Rother; and brother-in-law Charles Scherbel. He is survived by his wife, Pat Rother; son, Reggie Rother and his wife Donna; son, Randy Rother and his wife Suzanne; grandchildren, Kelly Popino and her husband Mike, Katie Rother, Beth Bartel and her husband Caleb, Becca Horgan and her husband Kyle, Matthew Rother and his wife Katie, Luke Rother; brothers, Melvin Rother and his wife Gail, Dennis Rother and his wife Beth, Larry Rother and his wife Francine; sisters, Doris Grainger and her husband Jack, Mildred Scherbel, Janice Sastky and her husband Mike. "Poppy" also celebrated and loved his 16 great-grandchildren.

The family will celebrate and honor Howard with a private graveside ceremony on December 18 at Aggie Field of Honor and Memorial cemetery in College Station.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to:

Kids Across America at 2036 Timberlake Road, Branson, Missouri 65616

Please visit www.hillierfuneralhome.com to share deepest condolences and expressions of gratitude for Howard and a life well lived.

Hillier Funeral Home

4080 State Hwy 6, College Station, TX 77845