Benjamin Howard

Benjamin Harrison Howard went to be with his Lord and Savior Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, at the Missouri Veterans Home.

Ben was born at home in Oak Ridge Feb. 18, 1920, to Benjamin H. and Pearl Tracy Wills Howard Sr. His father had passed away only days prior to his birth on Jan. 25, 1920, at the age of 29, due to the flu epidemic.

In 1925 his mother, Pearl Tracy Wills Howard, married Ephrum Roberts. Ephrum had four children, Joann, Beryl, Bobbie and Patsy.

Being a member of a large family during the Depression era presented its challenges. Ben was taken out of school on several different occasions to work on relatives' farms. Finally, in 1939 at a Civilian Conservation Corps Camp in Bunker, Missouri, Ben, attending school during the day, completed his schooling and graduated at age 20 from Cape Girardeau Central High School in 1940.

EPSON MFP image

On Nov. 24, 1942, Ben married Virginia Limbaugh. On Nov. 30, 1942, he was inducted into the Army, departing for Europe Oct. 4, 1943, to serve his country in World War II. He was in the 3624 Quartermaster Truck Co., a transportation outfit attached to General Eisenhower's headquarters in London, England. Ben drove heavy trucks and served in England, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland and Germany. He was awarded a Bronze Star for the Rhineland Campaign, the Good Conduct Medal and the Purple Heart.

Ben's tour of duty ended Christmas Day 1945. Upon returning home, he worked for McDowell Motor & Buchanan Buick before embarking on a 29-year career with National Life and Accident Insurance Co., retiring in March 1982.

Ben stayed very active following his retirement. He was a rural mail carrier, sold real estate for Century 21, managed apartments in Alaska the winter of 1985-86, was superintendent at Juarez Petroleum for four years, and drove rental cars for both Enterprise and Honda in his early 90s.

Ben was a lover of the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, canoing and going to the quiet of the country where he was raised. Ben had a great appreciation for music, listening to everything from country to classical. He also enjoyed strumming his guitar.

Ben was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the American Legion.

Ben was devoted to his Lord. He read his Bible faithfully and lived out the word. He was a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Cape Girardeau, where he taught adult Sunday school and served on the church board.

He is survived by his daughters, Beverly Howard (Jim) Hart of Montrose, Colorado, and Rebecca Howard Sams of Cape Girardeau; five grandchildren, Christopher (Shirley) Ervin of Winston Salem, North Carolina; Heather Hart (Larry) Clamp and Phillip Hart, both of Montrose; Will Sams of Kearney, Nebraska; and Katy Sams of Cape Girardeau; five great-grandchildren, Gunnison, Zachary, Joseph and Greta-Jane Clamp, all of Montrose, and Wolfgang Ervin of Winston Salem; and a half sister, Patsy Roberts Huntsman.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Virginia Howard, on Oct. 30, 1999; daughter, Jean Ellen Britz; three sisters, Jeanette Howard Fuqua, Imogene Howard Brown and Vivian Howard Bradford; and half siblings, Joanna Roberts Granger, Beryl Thomas Roberts and Bobbie E. Roberts.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at First Church of the Nazarene in Cape.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Southeast Missouri Food Bank or the Salvation Army.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.