Carl Lee Howard

Carl Lee Howard

Carl Lee Howard, of Kirksville, MO, (formerly of Unionville, MO) passed away at the Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, MO, on Monday, July 15, 2013. He was 86 years of age.

Carl Lee Howard was born in Chillicothe, MO, on January 20, 1927, the son of Frank and Fay (Lowry) Howard, who preceded him in death. He was reared in the Lucerne, MO, area and graduated from Lucerne High School in 1944. Carl Lee enlisted in the United States Navy in April of 1945 and was honorably discharged in June of 1946. He married Joy Hamilton in Lucerne, MO, on October 11, 1947, and she survives at their home in Kirksville.

Carl Lee and Joy farmed in the Lucerne area for several years after they were married. Carl Lee also worked in highway construction with the Missouri Department of Transportation, farming in the evenings. They moved briefly to Knoxville, IA, but returned to Unionville in 1963 where Carl Lee owned and operated a home improvement/residential construction business for many years. He was also involved in the real estate business for a number of years, retiring in 1989. Carl Lee and Joy moved to Kirksville, MO, in 1986. They loved to travel and spend the winters in south Texas. Carl Lee was a people person who liked to visit with folks and loved to be with his family. He was personable and always had a ready smile. He was an active member of the Faith United Methodist Church in Kirksville, MO.

In addition to his wife, Carl Lee is survived by a daughter, Phyllis Smart, of Kansas City, MO; and sons Greg (Terrie) Howard of Kirksville, Jeff Howard of Kirksville, and Kevin (Shelle) Howard, of Unionville. Grandchildren are Anjie (John) Baumler, Tricia (Gregg) Shields, Stephanie Howard, Lauren Smith, Tyson (Leah) Howard, and Nicole (and friend Eric Lutz) Howard. Great grandchildren are Nathan Smart, Matthew Baumler, Rebecca Baumler, George Shields, Gracie Shields, Elexa Lutz, Myles Lutz, and Dexter Smith. Carl Lee is also survived by a sister, Joan Seals and her friend Herbie Swisher of Green Castle, MO.

Carl Lee was preceded in death by two sisters, Agnes Elizabeth (who died in infancy) and Edna Mae Collins.

Funeral services for Carl Lee Howard will be at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, on Friday, July 19, 2103, at 11:00 am. Visitation will be Thursday, July 18, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Interment will be at the West Liberty Cemetery, west of Unionville, MO.

Memorials are suggested to the West Liberty Cemetery and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.