Michael Anthony Howard

Howard, Michael Anthony 59 Oct. 25, 1956 Oct. 13, 2016 Mike Howard died on Oct. 13, 2016 just twelve days shy of his sixtieth birthday, after a year-long struggle with esophageal cancer. His beloved dogs were snuggled by his side throughout his final days. He was born Oct. 25, 1956, in San Francisco, to Darlene and Harry Howard. He was raised in Puyallup, Wash., where he attended Ezra Meeker Elementary and Puyallup High School. After graduating from P.H.S., in 1974, he worked painting bridges and building houses. During these early years, Mike was an avid dirt-bike rider and concertgoer, and also developed an interest in photography. Later, he worked as a meat packer for Hormel Meats and as a warehouse supervisor for Provisioners Trucking. On Oct. 10, 1981, he married Carole Glass, and they raised two children together until they divorced, in 1996. In 1997, he moved to Portland, when he began working for Precision Castparts as a utility investor; he was employed there for nineteen years. He met Geneva Fraser in 2000. They were married on March 1, 2004, and settled in Vancouver, Wash. Mike had a big heart. He was very generous with his time, and loved helping others. He had a wonderfully clever sense of humor and was a great storyteller. He loved drives and hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, trips to the ocean, animals, books, movies, muscle cars, motorcycles, tools and gadgets. He barbecued year-round, and produced everything from succulent rotisserie turkey at Thanksgiving to scrumptious chicken and burgers on the Fourth of July. Mike was incredibly handy, resourceful and creative; he could fix anything. A garage sale enthusiast and collector of all things vintage, he couldn't resist a good deal. He amassed a large collection of vintage radios and had a particular interest in Telechron clocks, which he took great care in restoring and giving as gifts, with his motto, "Time Is a Gift." Mike is survived by his wife, Geneva; his mother, Darlene McNall (Vancouver, Wash.); his brother, Patrick Howard (Puyallup, Wash.); his son, Jacob Howard (Orting, Wash.); his daughter, Heidi Howard (Everett, Wash.); and five grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016 at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, 1101 NE 112th Avenue, Vancouver, Wash. 98684. Please join the family for refreshments in the hospitality room, immediately following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kaiser Hospice Program, 2701 NW Vaughn Street, Suite 140, Portland, 97210.

Michael Anthony Howard

October 25, 1956 - October 13, 2016