Charles P "Tony" Howard, 69 of Kalkaska, formerly of Traverse City, passed away on Mon, Oct 11, 2010 at Munson Medical Center. He was born on Jul 26, 1941 in Carrizo Springs, TX tot he late Graham Parker and Ruby Lee (Wilson) Howard.
Tony grew up riding and roping on a ranch in west Texas. He graduated from Crane High School in Crane, TX in 1958. Tony served his country proudly in the US Army from 1968-1970 and was stationed in Germany for two years.
He married the former Cynthia M Coates on Apr 11, 1997 in Traverse City. Tony worked in the oil field for 52 years, starting right out of high school when he busted out in the oil patch in Texas. Tony worked overseas in Libya, Tripoli, and Singapore traveling with his family for four years. After returning to the states, he worked for Cactus Drilling Company, Dart's, and then in 1971 he joined TD Provins in Mount Pleasant.
Tony and his partner Dwain formed CH & P Drilling in Traverse City and designed and built rigs and equipment all over Michigan. Tony owned a snowmobile and four wheeler business in the UP for seven years while still consulting in the oilfields where he worked up until his death.
Tony loved snowmobiling, four wheeling, traveling, and hanging out with friends. Tony enjoyed spending time with his wife at their cabin in the UP. He was always working on fixing whatever needed fixing and he could fix anything.
In recent years, Tony liked remodeling houses and selling them.
He was a great father to all of his children and was always on call for their many needs and long talks. Tony was highly respected and very forgiving. He was known to say "You learn a lot more when you listen." Tony's grandchildren were the joy of his life and he loved being Grandpa.
He was raised in a faithful Baptist family where the church was very important. Tony raised his family the same way he was raised, with strong beliefs and faith in our Lord and Savior. He was a very strong person and was always looking out for everyone around him. Tony will be deeply missed by his family and his many friends.
He is survived by his wife, Cynthia; his children, Kim Scott of Big Lake, Tammi (Bob) Smalley of Mount Pleasant, Shane (Stevy) Wilkes of Traverse City, and Brandon (Shauna) Wilkes of Kalkaska; his siblings, Larry Howard of Midland, TX, Carol Krist of Hamilton, TX, and Lauren (Harvey) Howard of Hamilton; his dear friend Chloe; his seven grandchildren, Shawn, Jena, Tyler, Autumn, Gabriel, Lily, and Grace; and five great grandchildren.
Tony was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Harry David Howard.
A memorial service will be held at noon on Thu, Oct 14, with visitation from 10 am until service time at Wolfe-O'Neill Funeral Home in Kalkaska. Pastor Matt Moser of the Calvary Baptist Church will be officiating.
