Claude Howard

Services for Claude M. Howard, 88, Mission, will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 29, at Shawnee United Methodist Church.
Mr. Howard died peacefully March 24, 2011, at his home.
He was born Aug. 25, 1922, the son of Claude M. Howard Sr. and Mary Roher Howard. He grew up in Kansas City, Kan., graduating from Wyandotte High School in 1940. He graduated from Kansas State University, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity following his service to his country during World War II. He had served in the U.S. Navy as a fighter pilot in the Pacific Theater, earning many citations including the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Purple Heart.
Mr. Howard worked for the Kansas State Employment Service for 25 years, retiring in 1985. He gave years of his life to coaching little league sports, being on the organizational committee for the early stages of the YMCA football program. He touched many lives through this football program and his 3&2 baseball coaching.
Mr. Howard served on the Mission City Council during the late 1970s.
After a stroke in 1983, he became a charter member of the Stroke Support group at Shawnee Mission Medical Center.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Eda Mae Howard; two sons, Steve (Debbie) Howard and Trey (Jan) Howard; two daughters, Kay (Lane) Bailey and Cindy (Alan) Collins; 14 grandchildren; and sixgreat-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 28, at Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee.
The family suggests memorials to Vitas Hospice, sent in care of the funeral chapel, 10900 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66203.
Online condolences can be made at amosfamily.com.