Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Howard Kirk Mardis
1963 - 2025
FUNERAL HOME
UPCOMING SERVICE
Howard Mardis Obituary
Colonel Howard Kirk Mardis
February 21, 1963 - July 10, 2025
Colonel Howard Kirk Mardis (US Air Force, Retired), of Williamsburg, Va., passed away suddenly on July 10, 2025. Kirk had the ability to make everyone close to him feel that they were his best friend. His ability to encourage and lift others up was truly a gift God had given him.
Kirk was born on February 21, 1963, in Florence, Ala. He was an athlete who loved competition. He graduated from Coffee High School in 1981 where he was a member of the State Basketball Championship Team. He then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Samford University in Homewood, Ala., where he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Program. During his time in the Air Force, Kirk also earned a Master's Degree in Strategic Intelligence.
Kirk served our country in the United States Air Force from 1985-2009. After graduating from Intelligence Officers School in San Angelo, Texas, Kirk was assigned to Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas, for his first operational tour. He then moved on to multiple assignments including command and many leadership positions which took him around the world, from Japan to Iraq. While serving at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, as the Deputy Director for Intelligence for Headquarters Air Combat Command, Kirk deployed to Iraq on multiple occasions including a year at Multi-National Force-Iraq Headquarters where he earned a Bronze Star.
Upon retirement, Kirk moved into the corporate world where he served for 16 years as both a technologist and sales leader. His job was to expand the businesses he represented, and his passion was to connect with people and make them part of his journey.
Kirk had a large circle of friends. They came from his childhood and hometown, his career in the Air Force, in his community, and in every aspect of his life. Kirk never missed a chance to connect with friends. He loved the Alabama Crimson Tide and brought anyone willing to go to football games. An avid sports fan, he loved to ski and play tennis, and enjoyed bringing friends together for an annual pilgrimage to the first weekend of the NCAA Basketball Tournament.
His faith and commitment to Jesus Christ grew deeper through the challenges he overcame. He was a mentor to people actively making difficult changes in their lives and never missed a chance to help anyone with struggles. The role his Savior, Jesus Christ, played in his life became his own rock. He was a follower of Christ and encouraged people around him to do the same.
Family was always on his mind and central to his life. Yvette, Haley, and Joshua were the first topics he brought up in his conversations and always with great appreciation and love for how God had blessed him. When Josh was tragically killed in an automobile accident, Kirk refocused his life on what mattered most to him, his relationship with God, Yvette, Haley, family and close friends.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 32 years, Yvette (Reynolds) Mardis, of Williamsburg, Va.; daughter, Haley Mardis, of Arlington, Va.; his mother, Sarah Tidwell Mardis, of Springdale, Ark.; his brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Terri Mardis, of Bentonville, Ark.; his sister, Debbie Mardis Collins, of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, James Mardis; and his son, Joshua Mardis, who died in a tragic automobile accident just two years ago.
In lieu of flowers, please make any memorial donations to Celebrate Recovery at (https://celebraterecovery.com/). The family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. A simple thank you will never be enough to convey our appreciation. Our community of faith, family and friends has proven once again that they will continue to walk with us on this path.
A celebration of life service will be held at Williamsburg Community Chapel, 3899 John Tyler Highway, Williamsburg, Va. 23185 at 11 a.m. on July 25, 2025. Visitation will precede the service and begin at 9 a.m. Burial with full military honors at Williamsburg Memorial Park will immediately follow the service. A reception will follow the burial at Kingspoint Clubhouse, 119 Northpoint Drive, Williamsburg, where the family will meet following the interment.
Online condolences may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com. To view Kirk's service by live stream, please visit wcchapel.org/mardis.
February 21, 1963 - July 10, 2025
Colonel Howard Kirk Mardis (US Air Force, Retired), of Williamsburg, Va., passed away suddenly on July 10, 2025. Kirk had the ability to make everyone close to him feel that they were his best friend. His ability to encourage and lift others up was truly a gift God had given him.
Kirk was born on February 21, 1963, in Florence, Ala. He was an athlete who loved competition. He graduated from Coffee High School in 1981 where he was a member of the State Basketball Championship Team. He then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Samford University in Homewood, Ala., where he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Program. During his time in the Air Force, Kirk also earned a Master's Degree in Strategic Intelligence.
Kirk served our country in the United States Air Force from 1985-2009. After graduating from Intelligence Officers School in San Angelo, Texas, Kirk was assigned to Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas, for his first operational tour. He then moved on to multiple assignments including command and many leadership positions which took him around the world, from Japan to Iraq. While serving at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, as the Deputy Director for Intelligence for Headquarters Air Combat Command, Kirk deployed to Iraq on multiple occasions including a year at Multi-National Force-Iraq Headquarters where he earned a Bronze Star.
Upon retirement, Kirk moved into the corporate world where he served for 16 years as both a technologist and sales leader. His job was to expand the businesses he represented, and his passion was to connect with people and make them part of his journey.
Kirk had a large circle of friends. They came from his childhood and hometown, his career in the Air Force, in his community, and in every aspect of his life. Kirk never missed a chance to connect with friends. He loved the Alabama Crimson Tide and brought anyone willing to go to football games. An avid sports fan, he loved to ski and play tennis, and enjoyed bringing friends together for an annual pilgrimage to the first weekend of the NCAA Basketball Tournament.
His faith and commitment to Jesus Christ grew deeper through the challenges he overcame. He was a mentor to people actively making difficult changes in their lives and never missed a chance to help anyone with struggles. The role his Savior, Jesus Christ, played in his life became his own rock. He was a follower of Christ and encouraged people around him to do the same.
Family was always on his mind and central to his life. Yvette, Haley, and Joshua were the first topics he brought up in his conversations and always with great appreciation and love for how God had blessed him. When Josh was tragically killed in an automobile accident, Kirk refocused his life on what mattered most to him, his relationship with God, Yvette, Haley, family and close friends.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 32 years, Yvette (Reynolds) Mardis, of Williamsburg, Va.; daughter, Haley Mardis, of Arlington, Va.; his mother, Sarah Tidwell Mardis, of Springdale, Ark.; his brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Terri Mardis, of Bentonville, Ark.; his sister, Debbie Mardis Collins, of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, James Mardis; and his son, Joshua Mardis, who died in a tragic automobile accident just two years ago.
In lieu of flowers, please make any memorial donations to Celebrate Recovery at (https://celebraterecovery.com/). The family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. A simple thank you will never be enough to convey our appreciation. Our community of faith, family and friends has proven once again that they will continue to walk with us on this path.
A celebration of life service will be held at Williamsburg Community Chapel, 3899 John Tyler Highway, Williamsburg, Va. 23185 at 11 a.m. on July 25, 2025. Visitation will precede the service and begin at 9 a.m. Burial with full military honors at Williamsburg Memorial Park will immediately follow the service. A reception will follow the burial at Kingspoint Clubhouse, 119 Northpoint Drive, Williamsburg, where the family will meet following the interment.
Online condolences may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com. To view Kirk's service by live stream, please visit wcchapel.org/mardis.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on Jul. 20, 2025.
Memorial Events
for Howard Mardis
Jul
25
Funeral services provided by:
Nelsen Funeral Home - Williamsburg3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23188
Memories and Condolences
for Howard Mardis
Sponsored by Nelsen Funeral Home - Williamsburg.
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
Make a Donation
in Howard Mardis's name
How to support Howard's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Howard Mardis's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
