Obituary of Richard Howard III

Richard Howard III, 57, of North Liberty died Saturday, August 9, 2008 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, due to an extended illness. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 14, 2008 at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City. Visitation will begin two hours prior to the service at the funeral home. A graveside service is pending for Monday, August 18, 2008 at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens in Beckley, WV. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Kidney Foundation. Online condolences may be sent through the web @gayandciha.com Richard was born September 28, 1950 in Sullivan, WV the son of Richard and Laura Francis (Finney) Howard. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, WV. He loved sports; and was a formidable boxer during those years. He was such a good boxer that he was given the nick name of "Dukes". Following high school he began to work for Procter & Gamble where he worked for more then 35 years. In 1981 Richard met Lillie Dotson the two moved to North Liberty from Omaha, NE and were married. Richard enjoyed traveling, fishing, outings, relaxing at home, and most of all spending time with family. His family includes his loving wife Lillie of North Liberty; mother Laura Francis Howard of Gary, IN; two sons Anthony L. Howard of Indianapolis, IN, Daryl M. Howard (Catherine) of Omaha, NE; daughter Ashley Hawthorne (James) of Hinesville, GA; two step-daughters Sheila Dotson of Houston, TX, Margarete Wallace (Eddie) of Houston, TX; grandchildren Marcus A. Howard, Makaela' N. Howard, Dasia Howard, Xavier Howard, Zoey Howard, Corey Wallace, Cambria Wallace; six sisters Armentris J. Johnson, Paula Diane Lewis, Patricia L. Lowe, Cordelia R. Howard, Virgie Howard and Cassandra Howard both of Brooklyn, NY one brother Anthony C. Howard; special Aunt Nancy Davis, Helen Lewis and Alberta Finney; Uncles Irvin Finney and George Reynolds; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Richard was preceded in death by his father Richard, and infant brother Daryl.