Obituary of Gilfred Eugene Howard

Gilfred Eugene (Gene) Howard, born on January 16, 1931, to Robert and Mabel Howard in Gray, Kentucky, passed away Sunday, February 3, 2013. He is survived by his sister, Linda Elliott, her husband Shirl, their daughter Tamara, and one grandchild; his son Mitchell Howard, wife Patti and their three children; son Michael Howard, wife Cheryl, their two children and one grandchild; daughter Michelle Hunter and son; their mother Rubye Howard; and Gene’s close companion, Jeanine Swift. Gene was preceded in death by his beloved wife of thirty years, Sherry Walker Champlin, but is survived by his two stepsons; Donnie Champlin, wife D. D. and their son; and David Champlin, wife Gina and their daughter. Gene enjoyed the support and love of Sherry’s family, the Walkers, throughout the years of their relationship. Gene loved his five wonderful, successful children and greatly appreciated their love and closeness. Gene had a wonderful childhood, being raised on a small farm in Kentucky, where he roamed the woods, fished, hunted, and participated in all sports in school. He graduated in a high school class of seventeen in 1949, and then worked his way through Cumberland College, graduating in 1951. Gene spent two years working in construction engineering in multiple manufacturing plants around the eastern United States. Gene served his country from 1953 until 1955, when he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. In 1956, in Pampa, Texas, Gene met and married Rubye Shelton, who became his wife of nineteen years. Moving to Houston, Texas, Gene spent twelve years in various engineering companies before starting his own very successful engineering consulting company in 1968, called Technical Design Associates, Inc. While in Texas, Gene for thirty years attended the First Presbyterian Church of Pasadena, Texas. In 1991, Gene and Sherry moved from Deer Park to Country Place in Pearland, Texas, where Gene eventually retired in 1996. Aside from work, family and friends, Gene’s other interests were his pursuit of physical fitness, travel, and his love of cars. Gene will be missed by his family members and his many friends and business associates who treasured their long and lasting relationship with him. A memorial service will be held Friday, February 8th, at 2:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church Houston, 5300 Main Street, Houston, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church Houston or First Presbyterian Church Pasadena, Texas.