Duron Harrison Howard
After a long illness, Duron Harrison Howard, 86, passed from this life on July 24th, 2013, at Duncan Regional Hospital. He was born February 24, 1927 at Spanish Fort, Texas. He graduated from Waurika High School in 1945, and immediately served in the Pacific Theater of WWII with the U.S. Navy. After being discharged, he attended Oklahoma A & M, now Oklahoma State University, majoring in Animal Science.
He married Don Ella Tow on September 2, 1949. They farmed southeast of Waurika, and he taught Agriculture at Ryan Public Schools. Duron moved the family in 1957, to Mulhall, where he raised five children and farmed and ranched before moving back to the Waurika ranch, where he currently resided.
Duron is survived by his wife, Don Ella; five children, Debra Dreier, Newton KS, Durene Sampson, Cameron, Ok, Dennis Howard, Edmond, OK, Darrell Howard, Mulhall, OK, Darin Howard, Lawton, OK, nineteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, LaVerna McMenamy, Shallowater, TX and Anita Oberle of San Antonio, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, R.V. and Lucille Hill Howard, brother, Kenneth Howard, and two grandsons, John Dreier and David Dreier.
Duron and Don Ella were named Oklahoma Farm Family of the year in 1957. He served as Chairman of the Oklahoma Jr. Farm Bureau. OSU Animal Science department awarded him their Master Breeder Award, and he was Chairman of the OSU Agriculture Research Extension Association. His Hereford cattle and Southdown sheep won numerous competitions, and he was recognized as a leader in the livestock industry. While in high school he was elected Oklahoma State FFA Reporter and was in the top 5 National FFA American Star Farmers award. He judged numerous state fairs and livestock exhibitions all over the United States. He was a lifelong supporter of 4-H, FFA and other youth activities. The Oklahoma Youth Expo awarded him their first annual Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions in 2005. Duron served numerous years on the Board of the American Southdown Breeders Association and was an Honorary member until his passing. He was active in the United Methodist Church at local and state levels and served as Chairman of the Oklahoma United Methodist Church Board of Camps and Conferences for several years.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, July 27, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church in Waurika, with Karen Slater officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 1:00 to 8:00 PM and Friday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The family will be present from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Friday. Burial will follow at the Waurika Cemetery under the direction of Dudley Funeral Home of Waurika. Memorials may be sent to: American Junior Southdown Breeder's Association, 100 Cornerstone Road, Fredonia, TX, 76842; First United Methodist Church of Waurika, 438 East D Ave., Waurika, OK 73573; Jefferson County Memorial Hospital, Box 90, Waurika, OK 73573.
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