Gene C. Howard

1926 - 2021

Gene C. Howard

Gene C. Howard was born on September 26, 1926 in Perry, Oklahoma and passed away unexpectedly on November 14, 2021 at home with his family in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Gene was engaged in and witnessed many of the major events of the 20th Century. He graduated from Oklahoma Military Academy ("OMA") and immediately began his military service in the Army. He served in the invasion of the Philippines and was selected to serve on General MacArthur's staff until the end of World War II. He was then retained on the General's staff and participated in the occupation of Japan. Gene always enjoyed sports and while in Japan coached and developed a trophy winning baseball team and won the recognition of the General. Upon leaving the Army, Gene attended the University of Oklahoma, obtaining both a Bachelor's and law degree there. It was at this time that he became involved in political campaigns which guided him into becoming a member of the Oklahoma State House of Representatives and ultimately becoming a member of the Oklahoma State Senate. It is in the Senate that his political legislative knowledge began to shine. He accomplished much for the benefit of both the State and its citizens which was recognized by his being the longest serving Pro Tempore of the Senate, when he retired.

During this time, he continued his military service, being recalled to active duty for the Berlin Crisis and retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Air Force following 20 years of active and reserve service. The Senator was always willing to help people and devoted both his time and money in this effort. He also sponsored legislation in education and public safety laws. The highlight of his tenure was establishing the State Employee's self-insured Health Insurance Program. He took over as Chairman of the Oklahoma State and Education Group Insurance Board in 1990, leaving in 1998 to become a trustee of the Oklahoma College Savings and Loan. During this time, Gene played tennis three days a week and enjoyed watching OU football and building and growing a successful law practice. Gene retired from the practice of law in 2014 at the age of 88. He spent the last seven years of his life traveling and making countless memories with his family. He enjoyed many adventures with his wife, children and grandchildren during his retirement, including visits to Pearl Harbor; Washington, D.C.; New York City, and even riding an electric scooter around Disney World meeting princesses and eating dinner at Cinderella's Castle with two of his granddaughters. Gene was a man of honor who deeply loved God, his family, his country and his state.

Gene is survived by the love of his life, his beloved wife of 43 years, Belva; and his three children, Jean Schaffer and husband, Bob, of Sacramento, Bud Howard and wife, Lora, of Tulsa, and Belinda Tricinella and husband, Nick, of Oklahoma City. Gene is also survived by his seven grandchildren: Brittany Ballard, Brett Peterson, Kristin Brady, Ethan Howard, Emma Tricinella, Jessica Tricinella, and Wyatt Howard. Gene is also survived by his sister, Jodie Ross; nephews, Steve Ross and wife, Ann, Randy Ross and wife, Lane, Daniel Ross and wife, Tiffany, Michael Ross and wife, Lindsay, Joel Ross, Gabriel Robertson and wife, Erin; nieces, Debbie Robertson and husband, Chuck, Stephanie Ross, Leigh Ann Robertson, Tiffany Ross; and several great grandchildren and great-great nieces and nephews. Gene was preceded in death by his mother, Nell Howard; father, Joe Howard; brother-in-law, Sam Ross; and nephew, David Ross.

Upon being informed of his being inducted into the OMA Alumni Hall of Fame in 2015, the Senator said, "This is one of the greatest honors of my life. It was OMA which framed my values and gave me what I needed to have a productive life." The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Oklahoma Military Academy Alumni Association at Rogers State University c/o Dr. Danette Boyle, 1701 W. Will Rogers Blvd., Claremore, Oklahoma 74017.

The family will host a visitation at Barnes Friederich Funeral Home, 1820 S. Douglas Blvd., Midwest City, OK 73130, on Thursday, November 18, 2021, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Senator Howard will lie in state in the Oklahoma State Capitol Rotunda on Friday, November 19, 2021, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. A celebration of life will follow on the 2nd floor Capitol Rotunda at 1:00 pm on Friday. Immediately after the celebration of life, there will be a graveside burial at Arlington Memory Gardens, 3400 N. Midwest Blvd. Reverend Deron Spoo of First Baptist Church Tulsa, long time pastor and friend, will be officiating the service.