Howard Joseph Easter III

1953 - 2023

EASTER, Mr. Howard Joseph III, age 69, of Amelia, was called Home on Thursday, February 9, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard Joseph "Joe" Easter Jr. and Julia Easter; his brother, Douglas Easter; and sisters-in-law, Louise Easter and Deborah Easter. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jacki Poore Easter; brothers, Jeffrey Easter (Dee) and David Easter. He was very proud of their two sons, H. Joseph Easter IV (Jill), Michael Easter (Kristina); and their beloved grandchildren, Brett, Caleb, Nathan, Lauren and Collins.

Howard loved to share that he was born in a tent in Fort Bragg, N.C., where his family was based during his father's service. He attended Nashville Auto Diesel College following graduation from Amelia Academy in 1972, though he made many trips back and forth to Longwood College to see Jacki. Upon graduation he returned home to work for his father at HJ Easter, Inc. and married Jacki on March 16, 1974, surrounded by their family and many friends.

He and Jacki made their home at Oakdale Farm where they welcomed their sons. They raised poultry for Tyson Foods, beef cattle and crops. Howard, Jacki and Michael later founded Easter Design, Inc. Howard was a proud third generation farmer and excavating contractor. In his lifetime, his work as an excavating contractor built Innsbrook in Glen Allen, Waterford in Chesterfield and many ponds in Amelia and surrounding counties.

He grew up showing with the Amelia County 4-H Livestock Team and shared this passion with his sons and grandsons. He served on the Amelia Dixie Youth Baseball League Board of Directors and was proud to coach and help to build the Amelia baseball fields. He made many friends at race tracks along the east coast while racing with Michael and while fox hunting and running dogs throughout the country collecting trophies. He loved to hunt and enjoyed taking children where they were guaranteed to get their first deer. He was a great shot and had a knack for being in the right place at the right time to always bring home the biggest buck. Howard and Jacki enjoyed traveling in their RV and their final trip to Alaska completed their bucket list to visit each state of the continental U.S.

Each year Howard would plow a magnificent garden on his dad's International tractor to share its yield with family and the community. He would also plant sweet corn for his grandchildren to pick and sell and offered the remainder to friends and neighbors. He grew sunflowers for "his girls."

He loved combining, smoking meat for his family at their lake house, breakfasts at Busic's, tomato sandwiches and sitting at his table at the Pizza Pub with his Jacki. Howard never met a stranger and enjoyed recounting tales of his many adventures with the friends he made in this life. He will forever be remembered for his kind and generous heart, his quiet intelligence and his signature bibs.

The family will be receiving visitors to celebrate Howard's life, on Monday, February 13 at Amelia Baptist Church Fellowship Hall on Amelia Street between 5 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Amelia County Christmas Parents (16311 Goodes Bridge Road, Amelia, Va. 23002) or Massey Cancer Institute https://www.support.vcu.edu/give/Massey in memory of Howard.