Paul Vernon Howard Sr.

Paul V. Howard, Sr. (Ret. Army Cpt.) Paul Vernon Howard, Sr., 87, passed away at his home on October 12, 2013 surrounded by family and close friends. He was born in Kansas City, KS on October 25, 1925 to Ethel Barksdale Howard and DeWitt Talmadge Howard. Paul attended school in Kansas City, KS, graduating from Sumner High School in 1942. Afterwards, he enrolled at the College of Engineering at Ohio State University in the Accelerated Wartime Program. Two years later, he was drafted into The United States Army and was assigned to the Corps of Engineers’ 1328th Engineer Construction Battalion as a Structural Steel Draftsman. During the World War II European Campaign, he served as a Route Reconnaissance Patrol Leader for Elements of the Continental Advance Engineers. He also served in the Korean War but had earned rank by the start of the Vietnam War and did not deploy. Paul eventually returned to Kansas City where he continued his studies in civil engineering at Kansas State University and enlisted as a reserve officer who would eventually retire with rank of Captain. A bachelor who had proudly served his county and traveled the world, Paul felt it was time to seek the love of his life. As owner of the popular 70’s era Hideaway Club in Kansas City, KS, he met Mary DeLaCruz, who eventually became his best friend, wife and mother to his children. As Paul settled down to become a family man, he began his career with the City of Kansas City, Kansas (Unified Government of Wyandotte County). After nearly 40 years of service to Wyandotte County citizens, Paul retired May 22, 2013 due to a medical condition that caused his health to decline. He was known as a hard, dedicated worker who remained committed to keeping busy with his motto being “I’ll rest when I die.” He was not only a father to his children, but to other children in his community who came from broken, displaced homes with hopes of giving them a chance. Paul was a living example who could dispel the myth of “only the good die young” and was labeled by many as “the perfect man.” Paul was preceded in death by both parents DeWitt and Ethel Howard, sisters Madeline Kaine-Howard and Eileen Howard, brothers Theodore B. Howard and DeWitt T. Howard, Jr. As the last survivor of his generation, Paul leaves a legacy to be fulfilled by the younger Howard men. Survivors include his loving wife, Mary DeLaCruz-Howard of the home, sons Paul V. Howard, Jr. and Benny Martinez (Phong), daughters Tina L. Howard and Angela Blosser (Jeff), grandsons Rico Howard and Ryan Hurst, granddaughters Alexis Peraza, Jenna Blosser, Kylie and Kassandra Kilmer, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins along with a sister-in-law, Lottie Howard of Chicago. Visitation: Monday, October 21st, 5-7 p.m., Maple Hill Funeral Home, 3300 Shawnee Drive, KCK. Service: Tuesday, October 22nd, 11 a.m. at Greater Pentecostal Temple, 864 Splitlog, KCK. The family acknowledges St. Luke’s Hospice, KU Medical Center and extends a heartfelt thanks to Paul’s home health aide and long-time family friend Angelina Gonzales, who provided outstanding care to her beloved “Uncle Paul”. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Luke’s Hospice or the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City. Arr., Maple Hill Funeral Home, 3300 Shawnee Drive, KCK. Interment: Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery. Cremation. Please visit paul's memorial website at www.maplehillfuneralhome.com

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Paul Vernon Howard Sr.

October 25, 1925 - October 12, 2013