Lloyd W. Howerton

Lloyd W. Howerton born February 11, 1930, died December 6, 2012. Lloyd was an avid aviator, wonderful husband, father, mentor and friend. He began flying in the mid-1940s in Muskogee, OK. The flying dreams started with Stevenson Aviation in Muskogee, OK and grew while flying the 1947 Cessna 120 from the family farm in Haskell, OK with his brothers. This plane purchased from former Tuskegee Airman, Nathan Sams, was the workhorse for his commercial and instructor ratings. His instructor career at Stevenson lasted until 1954 when he joined the USAF where he served five years active duty. He gained his Air Force wings in the B-25 with a four-engine transition in the B-29, and a crew assignment flying the KC-97. Upon Lloyd’s return to Tulsa in 1957, Warren Petroleum offered him a job as co-pilot on a deHavilland Dove. The years working for W.K. Warren were an avenue to live his dreams. After Warren Petroleum was purchased by Gulf Oil, Lloyd piloted various airplanes including a Lockheed LoadStar and other Gulf owned planes in the Tulsa operation, but Gulf began moving the aviation focus away from Tulsa in 1962. The decision to stay in Tulsa led to a connection with Flint Steel’s Chief Pilot, Ken Nelson. Ken offered him a co-pilot opportunity flying a Douglas A-26 for Flint. As time with Flint continued, they upgraded to a North American Saberliner and later a Cessna Citation III. His professionalism and devotion to flying was appreciated by owner Bill Flint, and when Nelson retired, Lloyd moved into the Chief Pilot position. Bill Flint consulted with him on the training, acquisition and expansion of the aviation department that included a Cessna Citation III in Tulsa, Citation I in Billings, MT and other planes based around North America. It was this relationship and love of all aspects of flying in the Tulsa area that lead to more involvement in the sport aviation circles at Harvey Young, Riverside, Cotton Patch and other small airports around the area. Ownership in a Cessna 172 based at Harvey Young grew into memberships in the Oklahoma Airmen Flying Club, EAA, Tulsa Skyhawks Sailplane Club, QB and active participation in weekend fly-ins and outings. It was not unusual for Lloyd to spend a week flying in the corporate sector and then be a part of the weekend warriors teaching students or going to air shows and fly-ins. An admitted perfectionist, his students realized that it was a challenge to meet his standards. When you did, there was no doubt you were ready for any check-ride or test. In 1983, Lloyd served as Key Man for the Tulsa QB Hanger. He retired as Chief Pilot for Flint Steel in 1990 in Tulsa and continued expanding the collection of sport airplanes he and two of his younger brothers were collecting, restoring and flying. Younger brother John had found a J-3 Cub in 1968 that was just up the brothers’ alley, easy to fly, low cost maintenance and just fun. Lloyd often mused that he could sit down and fly the Cub. It was relaxation and a hobby that was better relief than chasing golf balls. Then in 1980, youngest brother Al discovered the 1947 Cessna 120 that had been a part of the Howerton collection until 1955 was up for sale. Lots of challenges with getting the plane back to the status and beauty expected by the “Riverside Howertons” has led to a beautifully polished showpiece that continues to be flown and maintained by his son Brad. A Naval Aircraft Factory N3N joined the fleet in 1992 and became the basis for charter membership in the National Biplane Association. Garnering nearly than 60 years of flying and celebrating over 20,000 hours in his logbook, Lloyd and wife Joan retired to Tucson in 2002. He was a regular visitor to the Pima Air Museum just soaking in the sights and smells, becoming again the child in love with flying and airplanes. Tucson QB Hanger found him as a regular contributor to the stories and memories of great aviation. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joan (Hussmann) Howerton; brother Al and Stephanie Howerton; sisters, Geneva Martin and Nina McCabe; 2 sons, Brad and Pamm Howerton and Robert and Kathy Howerton, 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. A celebration of Lloyd’s life will be held February 9, 2013 at the farm of Al Howerton, southeast of Tulsa, OK.

Published in the Arizona Daily Star on 12/11/12.