Donald Edward Howard, Esq.

Donald Howard, Esq. Obituary Donald Edward Howard Donald Edward Howard was born on May 26, 1947, in Marion, Alabama and was the eldest of ten children. Don accepted Christ into his life at an early age when he was baptized in 1957 at People’s Baptist Church in Springfield, Ohio. Don graduated from Springfield South High School in 1965, where he was a member of the National Honors Society, an Eagle Scout and voted as the most likely to succeed. Following his graduation, Don attended Fenn College of Engineering in Cleveland, Ohio where he majored in Mechanical Engineering and in 1967 was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. It was during his time in college that he met the love of his life and wife of 51 years, Betty Joyce Green. He would often remark that he knew he was going to marry Betty the first time he saw her as she walked out of the campus library with an unusually large stack of books. Upon graduation from college, Don was hired by IBM as a mechanical engineer. While working as an engineer, he took night classes at Cleveland Marshall College of Law where he was one of the first African American members of the Law Review. Upon earning his law degree, Don worked in upper management for IBM for over 25 years before his retirement. Upon his retirement from IBM, Don practiced law full time where he dedicated a large portion of his practice to assisting youth in Cuyahoga County. Don was named guardian ad litem of the year and was active with youth outreach. Don was a lover of many hobbies, activities and organizations. He was an avid runner, running races into his early 70’s. He also enjoyed camping trips, fishing, watching Ohio State football and westerns as well as smoking any meat he could get his hands on. His smoked turkeys were legendary and will be missed almost as much as him. Don was an amateur radio enthusiast, with the call sign N8JIW and enjoyed using his radios to talk to individuals all over the world. He was a proud Freemason, obtaining his 33rd Degree and holding several offices. Additionally, he remained active with his beloved fraternity as a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha, serving in many officer positions with the Delta Alpha Lambda Graduate Chapter, including President. Don also loved God and was an ordained deacon with the United Church of Christ. Don loved his family and friends and will be deeply missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tommie and Louise Howard; his brothers Anthony Howard and Ray Howard and his sisters Kathy Howard and Elaine Sanders. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years Betty Joyce Howard; his children Donald Edward Howard II and Dierdra Howard Barouk (Asaf); his grandson Reid Edward Howard; his brothers Al Howard (Brenda), Kerry Howard (Arlene), Kenneth Howard, and DeWayne Howard (Sandra); his sister Wynona Banks (Roger); his sister-in-law Deborah Shepherd (Ron); his brother-in-law Archie Green (Debra); his godson Samuel Dickerson (Felicia) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Donald E. Howard’s name to Hospice of the Western Reserve, https://www.hospicewr.org/ and Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Alpha Lambda Chapter, P. O. Box 6441, Cleveland, OH 44104, https://www.dal1947.org/. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Donald Edward Howard, Esq., please visit our Tree Store. Read More

Donald Edward Howard, Esq.

May 26, 1947 - January 4, 2024