Obituary
THORNTON MELLOR "HUNK" HOWARD
Thornton Mellor Howard was born September 25, 1927, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Dwight Vincent Howard of Des Moines and Beryl Daisy Mellor of Osceola, Iowa. He graduated from North High School in 1945 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps shortly thereafter. Upon completion of his military service, he returned home and entered Drake University, where he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration in 1950 and a brief stint as a semi-professional basketball player, he reenlisted in the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School at Quantico, VA and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant.
While stationed in Parris Island, South Carolina, he met his wife, fellow Marine Barbara Lee Allison of Old Fort, NC, and they were married in Marion, North Carolina on August 16, 1952. Shortly after their marriage, Lt. Howard was ordered to Camp Pendleton for cold weather training in preparation for duty in Korea. En route to his posting, as he was getting off the train he saw a familiar face; coincidentally, it was his brother, who had just served his tour of duty in the war and was heading home. Mr. Howard proudly served in the 1st Marine Division and was a veteran of three major battles. On his second day on the line in Korea his commanding officer was killed and he was required to take over. He subsequently received a commendation for performing so capably.
Resigning his commission in 1955 as a captain, Mr. Howard remained in San Diego. Upon entering the civilian world, he proved to be an astute businessman and rose from modest means to financial success - a great example of the American Dream come true. He was the owner of Howard Tire Company, which had the first retreading machine in the area, as well as several other businesses. Mr. Howard served as a member and foreman of the 1969 San Diego County Grand Jury. He was also an avid bird hunter who traveled throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Mr. Howard is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara; daughters Jane of Charlotte, NC; Tracy Perez of San Diego; Sherry Howard of La Mesa; Kimberly of San Marcos; grandchildren 2nd Lt. Graham Hopkins, USMC, Alistair Howard, Benjamin Perez, Lucas Perez, Laith Khayyat, Quentin Nichols, Allison Perez, Alexander Nichols; great-grandson Rhys Seggel and his beloved hunting companions, Rufus and Maggie. He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Dwight Eugene Howard, Colonel, USMC and Kay Douglas Howard, who died in infancy. He loved the Marine Corps and his country. Semper Fi.
A Visitation will be held Monday, August 2, 2004 from 4-8 p.m. at El Camino Memorial Encinitas Chapel, 340 Melrose Avenue, Encinitas. The Funeral service will be held Tuesday, August 3, 11:30 a.m. at Encinitas Chapel.
Burial at San Marcos Cemetery, 1021 Mulberry Drive, San Marcos, will follow the chapel service.
In Lieu of flowers please donate to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, P.O. Box 555006, Camp Pendleton, CA 92055.
Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com
Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on 8/1/2004.
THORNTON MELLOR "HUNK" HOWARD
Thornton Mellor Howard was born September 25, 1927, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Dwight Vincent Howard of Des Moines and Beryl Daisy Mellor of Osceola, Iowa. He graduated from North High School in 1945 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps shortly thereafter. Upon completion of his military service, he returned home and entered Drake University, where he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration in 1950 and a brief stint as a semi-professional basketball player, he reenlisted in the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School at Quantico, VA and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant.
While stationed in Parris Island, South Carolina, he met his wife, fellow Marine Barbara Lee Allison of Old Fort, NC, and they were married in Marion, North Carolina on August 16, 1952. Shortly after their marriage, Lt. Howard was ordered to Camp Pendleton for cold weather training in preparation for duty in Korea. En route to his posting, as he was getting off the train he saw a familiar face; coincidentally, it was his brother, who had just served his tour of duty in the war and was heading home. Mr. Howard proudly served in the 1st Marine Division and was a veteran of three major battles. On his second day on the line in Korea his commanding officer was killed and he was required to take over. He subsequently received a commendation for performing so capably.
Resigning his commission in 1955 as a captain, Mr. Howard remained in San Diego. Upon entering the civilian world, he proved to be an astute businessman and rose from modest means to financial success - a great example of the American Dream come true. He was the owner of Howard Tire Company, which had the first retreading machine in the area, as well as several other businesses. Mr. Howard served as a member and foreman of the 1969 San Diego County Grand Jury. He was also an avid bird hunter who traveled throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Mr. Howard is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara; daughters Jane of Charlotte, NC; Tracy Perez of San Diego; Sherry Howard of La Mesa; Kimberly of San Marcos; grandchildren 2nd Lt. Graham Hopkins, USMC, Alistair Howard, Benjamin Perez, Lucas Perez, Laith Khayyat, Quentin Nichols, Allison Perez, Alexander Nichols; great-grandson Rhys Seggel and his beloved hunting companions, Rufus and Maggie. He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Dwight Eugene Howard, Colonel, USMC and Kay Douglas Howard, who died in infancy. He loved the Marine Corps and his country. Semper Fi.
A Visitation will be held Monday, August 2, 2004 from 4-8 p.m. at El Camino Memorial Encinitas Chapel, 340 Melrose Avenue, Encinitas. The Funeral service will be held Tuesday, August 3, 11:30 a.m. at Encinitas Chapel.
Burial at San Marcos Cemetery, 1021 Mulberry Drive, San Marcos, will follow the chapel service.
In Lieu of flowers please donate to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, P.O. Box 555006, Camp Pendleton, CA 92055.
Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com
Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on 8/1/2004.
Obituary
THORNTON MELLOR "HUNK" HOWARD
Thornton Mellor Howard was born September 25, 1927, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Dwight Vincent Howard of Des Moines and Beryl Daisy Mellor of Osceola, Iowa. He graduated from North High School in 1945 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps shortly thereafter. Upon completion of his military service, he returned home and entered Drake University, where he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration in 1950 and a brief stint as a semi-professional basketball player, he reenlisted in the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School at Quantico, VA and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant.
While stationed in Parris Island, South Carolina, he met his wife, fellow Marine Barbara Lee Allison of Old Fort, NC, and they were married in Marion, North Carolina on August 16, 1952. Shortly after their marriage, Lt. Howard was ordered to Camp Pendleton for cold weather training in preparation for duty in Korea. En route to his posting, as he was getting off the train he saw a familiar face; coincidentally, it was his brother, who had just served his tour of duty in the war and was heading home. Mr. Howard proudly served in the 1st Marine Division and was a veteran of three major battles. On his second day on the line in Korea his commanding officer was killed and he was required to take over. He subsequently received a commendation for performing so capably.
Resigning his commission in 1955 as a captain, Mr. Howard remained in San Diego. Upon entering the civilian world, he proved to be an astute businessman and rose from modest means to financial success - a great example of the American Dream come true. He was the owner of Howard Tire Company, which had the first retreading machine in the area, as well as several other businesses. Mr. Howard served as a member and foreman of the 1969 San Diego County Grand Jury. He was also an avid bird hunter who traveled throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Mr. Howard is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara; daughters Jane of Charlotte, NC; Tracy Perez of San Diego; Sherry Howard of La Mesa; Kimberly of San Marcos; grandchildren 2nd Lt. Graham Hopkins, USMC, Alistair Howard, Benjamin Perez, Lucas Perez, Laith Khayyat, Quentin Nichols, Allison Perez, Alexander Nichols; great-grandson Rhys Seggel and his beloved hunting companions, Rufus and Maggie. He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Dwight Eugene Howard, Colonel, USMC and Kay Douglas Howard, who died in infancy. He loved the Marine Corps and his country. Semper Fi.
A Visitation will be held Monday, August 2, 2004 from 4-8 p.m. at El Camino Memorial Encinitas Chapel, 340 Melrose Avenue, Encinitas. The Funeral service will be held Tuesday, August 3, 11:30 a.m. at Encinitas Chapel.
Burial at San Marcos Cemetery, 1021 Mulberry Drive, San Marcos, will follow the chapel service.
In Lieu of flowers please donate to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, P.O. Box 555006, Camp Pendleton, CA 92055.
Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com
Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on 8/1/2004.
THORNTON MELLOR "HUNK" HOWARD
Thornton Mellor Howard was born September 25, 1927, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Dwight Vincent Howard of Des Moines and Beryl Daisy Mellor of Osceola, Iowa. He graduated from North High School in 1945 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps shortly thereafter. Upon completion of his military service, he returned home and entered Drake University, where he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration in 1950 and a brief stint as a semi-professional basketball player, he reenlisted in the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School at Quantico, VA and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant.
While stationed in Parris Island, South Carolina, he met his wife, fellow Marine Barbara Lee Allison of Old Fort, NC, and they were married in Marion, North Carolina on August 16, 1952. Shortly after their marriage, Lt. Howard was ordered to Camp Pendleton for cold weather training in preparation for duty in Korea. En route to his posting, as he was getting off the train he saw a familiar face; coincidentally, it was his brother, who had just served his tour of duty in the war and was heading home. Mr. Howard proudly served in the 1st Marine Division and was a veteran of three major battles. On his second day on the line in Korea his commanding officer was killed and he was required to take over. He subsequently received a commendation for performing so capably.
Resigning his commission in 1955 as a captain, Mr. Howard remained in San Diego. Upon entering the civilian world, he proved to be an astute businessman and rose from modest means to financial success - a great example of the American Dream come true. He was the owner of Howard Tire Company, which had the first retreading machine in the area, as well as several other businesses. Mr. Howard served as a member and foreman of the 1969 San Diego County Grand Jury. He was also an avid bird hunter who traveled throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Mr. Howard is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara; daughters Jane of Charlotte, NC; Tracy Perez of San Diego; Sherry Howard of La Mesa; Kimberly of San Marcos; grandchildren 2nd Lt. Graham Hopkins, USMC, Alistair Howard, Benjamin Perez, Lucas Perez, Laith Khayyat, Quentin Nichols, Allison Perez, Alexander Nichols; great-grandson Rhys Seggel and his beloved hunting companions, Rufus and Maggie. He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Dwight Eugene Howard, Colonel, USMC and Kay Douglas Howard, who died in infancy. He loved the Marine Corps and his country. Semper Fi.
A Visitation will be held Monday, August 2, 2004 from 4-8 p.m. at El Camino Memorial Encinitas Chapel, 340 Melrose Avenue, Encinitas. The Funeral service will be held Tuesday, August 3, 11:30 a.m. at Encinitas Chapel.
Burial at San Marcos Cemetery, 1021 Mulberry Drive, San Marcos, will follow the chapel service.
In Lieu of flowers please donate to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, P.O. Box 555006, Camp Pendleton, CA 92055.
Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com
Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on 8/1/2004.
