Jake Cole Howard Sr.

January 23, 1940 - August 1, 2016

"I do not believe there was ever a life more attractive than life on a cattle farm." --Theodore Roosevelt

Hardworking and ever humorous, our beloved husband, father, brother, uncle and friend, Jake Howard, passed away Monday, August 1, 2016, after a courageous nine-month battle with brain cancer. A lifelong steward of the land and people God entrusted to his care, Jake was 76 years old at the time of his passing.

Born on January 23, 1940, in Iola, Jake was welcomed by his farming and ranching parents, J.C. Howard and Mable Alene Watson Howard. As the only boy-and third child-, Jake was doted on by sisters Cinda Belle Howard Steubing (husband, Melville, of San Antonio), Mable Jean Howard Denman (of College Station) and Virginia Lee Howard Chaney (husband, David, also of College Station). Together, the Howard children ran barefoot through fields near their home, playing marbles and washers while Jake also rounded up rocks, pretending they were cattle and that he was a rancher. Additionally, Jake often hunted deer and played in the nearby creek.

As he grew up in Iola, Jake learned to work a full day in helping with farm chores, raising crops and working cattle with his father. But within those early years, any time that he could spare from work, his sisters knew they could find Jake in his favorite tree on the hill near his home, from the top of which he could see almost five miles away. Once his feet were on the ground again, Jake returned to the farm to help his father, even when it meant giving up football practice after school. He graduated from the Iola High School in 1958 and spent his years improving the land and working it with his dad. More than once through the years, he escaped a close call-and thus worried his mother constantly-in working around their cattle herd; he was struck by lightning multiple times and at one point, narrowly avoided a meeting with a mountain lion (perched in a tree above him as he passed underneath). But he loved being near the land and close to his parents. Indeed, Jake's mother and father were his most influential role models.

Fortunately, Jake didn't have to venture far from home in order to find love. He once stopped by the Singleton Store to buy a Diet Coke, and while there, Jake was waited on by Angelette "Angie" Marie McGarvey. That first trip to the store led to Jake's daily pilgrimage for a Diet Coke, passed to him from the hands of his very own angel. These trips to the store for a diet coke led to her joining him while he completed his work; afterward, they would fish together, and eventually, of course, they caught each other. This friendship led to their marriage on May 20, 1995, in the Rose Garden of the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens. (It seemed only fitting for two people who loved the land so much to be married outdoors.) The Howard family would expand to include three children: sons Jake Cole "J.C." Howard II (17), Jacob Cole Howard (16) and daughter Rava Makenzie "Kenzie" Howard (13).

As a husband and father, Jake found fulfillment and purpose beyond his calling as a nurturer of the land. He loved spending time with Angie and their children, happy to provide for them, passing on his strong faith while teaching his children by example how they should love and serve God just as they loved and served others. He had worked hard all of his life to prove himself honest, loyal and trustworthy-his handshake meant more than any written contract ever could. Jake also prepared for their future by investing in land, oil, and drilling leases. He sat on the Board of Directors for the First National Bank of Anderson for over 30 years.

While working, Jake joked and laughed with his children as he rode his dirtbike to round up cows-for years it traveled with him, perched in the back of his truck. Jake also collected interesting rocks to take home with him. In fact, working the land instilled in him a longing for home, and he loved being with Angie and their children. Together, they vacationed at their home in the mountains of Colorado, where Jake and family hunted elk and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. In times spent together with friends and family, Jake also enjoyed a good steak, served with his favorite dessert: chocolate pudding. Of course, his favorite hobby was the work he loved in his calling as a cattleman.

Remembering Jake now are his sweetheart Angie, their beloved children J.C., Jacob and Kenzie, mother-in-law Louise McGarvey as well as Jake's sisters and brothers-in-law: Cinda & Melville Steubing, Jean Denman, and Virginia & David Chaney. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and was predeceased by his parents. His passing leaves an immense void in the lives of those who knew him best and loved him most.

Join us in celebrating the life of Jake Howard, beginning with Visitation from 6-8pm on Wednesday, August 3, 2016, at Hillier Funeral Home in College Station. Funeral services will follow there (in the same location) on Thursday, August 4th at 10am. Interment will be at Enon Cemetery, in Iola, in procession with a reception to follow at Main Street Market (Old Mallets Grocery) in Iola.

Remember Jake to his family and friends by leaving your memories at www.hillierfuneralhome.com.