It’s the honor of our lives to write an obituary for the robust, intentional, high impact life of Ronnie “Ron” Dean Howard, 82, who passed away peacefully in his family-built A-frame home on the family’s farm outside Covington on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020.
Ron was a husband, father, grandfather, friend, mentor, math and physics teacher, principal, farmer, banker, world traveler, county commission president, university student body president, baseball player, pickleball champ, repeat bridge champ, deep thinker, challenge seeker and fierce protector of family throughout his life — but that’s not what mattered most to those who loved him. It was his profound and genuine interest in those he encountered from every walk of life; it was the unique and fearless curiosity he offered and instilled in others; and it was the generosity he shared by investing all his time, wisdom and resources in people — these are the actions that forever changed Ron’s world and the people in it.
Ron taught us to squeeze every opportunity, lesson and joy out of life — maximizing every moment. He taught us to be ourselves and courageously rely on our strengths. He taught us it’s never too late to learn something new. He taught us that family comes first always. He taught us that love is defined by commitment. And he continues to teach us that the impact of one single life can be vast. For that, and for Ron, we are grateful.
With love from Ron’s adoring wife, Carolyn, and family: children Quella Ingraham (Richard), LaDonna Spicer (Tim) and Cary Howard (Mindy); grandchildren, Levi Spicer (Ashley), Saige Smith (Joel), Shea Rice (Travis), Reuben Spicer (Whitney), Teale Annen (Kyle), Kelley Klein, Christopher Klein, Jessa Howard and Cale Howard; and several great-grandchildren.
Ron was the last of the seven children of Walter and Mamie Howard of Veedersburg.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Ron’s memory to the Western Indiana Community Foundation, Attn: Ron and Carolyn Howard and Family Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 175, Covington, IN 47932. Donations may also be contributed online at www.wicf-inc.org.
Please join us for a community memorial service in the spring 2021 at a time and location to be announced.
