Van Hayes Howard

Dr. Van Hayes Howard was born in Gotebo, Oklahoma in 1927. He graduated from Classen High School on Oklahoma City. He earned his B.S from Oklahoma Baptist University, attended South- Western Baptist University, attended South-Western Baptist and Southern Baptist Theological Seminaries, earned his M.S degree from Baylor University and began his Phd study. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma Medical School in 1955 and finished his residency at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Oklahoma City in 1959.

He enlisted in the Navy in 1945.

Van and Mary Lou Ray of Healdton, OK.; then to Hobbs and Lovington, NM, Grove and Miami, OK. After retirement he and Mary lived in Oklahoma City and Farmington, NM.

Van was a high school principal, a research physiologist with Nasa. He began law school in 1979 while maintaining a full medical practice.

He was an author of 4 novels, including The Proligate.

Van and Mary were married for 73 years and had 3 daughters.

He is preceded in death by Dr. Garland and Nettie Howard, brother G.C. Howard, sisters Rhonda Cetrone and Darla Burris.

He loved life and people; he had a GREAT sense of humor and was a voracious reader.

Van was dedicated to God, Mary and his medical profession and BOOMER SOONER football.

We, as the survivors, will miss his brilliance, his smile, his antics and his love. Susie and Richard Neely of Farmington, NM; Jennifer Jones of North Augusta, SC; Liz and Mark Stockham of Greeley CO, Keely of Farmington NM, Brody of Grand Junction CO; Hayes and Mirna Neely of Albuquerque NM; Kacy and Tyson Snyder, Cy, Tess and Van the Man (Farmington NM); Landon and Laura Jones, Liam, Lincoln, Livia of Taylors SC; McKenna and Andrew Hydrick, Mc Call, Sawyer, Beckham of Franklin, TN.

The memorial service is June 23, 11am at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Farmington, NM.

Van Howard will be laid to rest at the Sante Fe National Cemetery, Sante Fe, NM.

Special thanks to: Dr. Byrum of the VA clinic, Dorothy Montano and the Hospice of Farmington.

Donations to: SAMARITANSPURSE.ORG (Franklin Graham)