Grover Howard

Grover Duralde Howard, a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and steadfast friend, died Saturday, August 19, 2023, at the age of 86. Grover was born in Seaboard, Alabama to Adon Jack and Louise Parnell Howard on November 3, 1936, and later raised by Margie Thomas Howard. He was a long-time resident of Leroy, Alabama. Grover is survived by his sisters Gloria Jean Glass, Emily Beech, Naomi Howard and one brother Terry Howard. Grover was preceded in death by his son, Adon Dean Howard, his parents, siblings: AJ Howard, Curtis Howard, Lloyd Howard, Davis Howard, Donald Berry, Barbara Parnell and Karen Jesse.

Grover married Sybil Ruth Henderson on May 19, 1961 and they were happily married for 62 years. Their children are the late Adon Dean Howard, Marcia (Brian) Blankenship, Chelsea Bailey, Brenda (Oliver) Goldman and Scott (Diane) Thomas. Grover enjoyed being Papa to his 8 grandchildren Ryan, Megan, Chad, Justin, Lacey, Andie, Alex and Katie. He adored being PopPop to his 17 great grandchildren.

Grover was an avid student and teacher. While attending Midland City High School in Dothan, Alabama, he was also dual enrolled in Lurleen B. Wallace Community College where he began a long career in Electrical and Instrumentation (E&I). He entered the United States Air Force where he served his country for four years. Grover worked at Brookley Field for the Civil Service and traveled extensively on tour of duty (TDY) for Boeing Aircraft. He joined NASA in 1964 at Cape Kennedy during the height of the space race. His work included the building of the Saturn V rocket and control centers for the Apollo missions. In 1969 Grover moved his family back to Alabama where he worked with Allied Paper Corporation which later became Boise Cascade Paper Corporation. While at the paper mill he was instrumental in developing and managing the training center which prepared men for the E&I and maintenance departments. Grover loved school and attended college continually throughout his lifetime, but his allegiance was always with the University of Alabama and the Crimson Tide. After working 30 years in the paper industry, Grover retired to pursue his real passions of traveling and fishing. Grover, Ruth and their friends enjoyed many camping trips across the United States and into Alaska and Canada. Being an avid fisherman, he and Ruth began working for the Corp of Engineers along the Alabama River as park attendants where he said he "Fished for a living." They enjoyed this work for over 17 years. Grover was always up for good friends, a good fishing tale and a good cup of coffee.

Grover Howard was a member of Leroy Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Leroy Baptist Church Building Fund, Post Office Box 5, Leroy, AL 36548

Pallbearers: Dane Benton, Darrell Howard, Joe Vitalec, Ryan Goldman, Chad Goldman and Dillon Howard. Honorary pallbearers: Joe Howard, The Joe Pace Palmer Sunday School Class of Leroy Baptist Church.

Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at Lathan Funeral Home in Jackson with a visitation one hour prior to services. Interment will be at New Leroy Baptist Church Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.lathanfuneralhome.com