Ronald Gene Howard

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 1:00 pm at Vessel Church in Claremore, OK.

Ronald Gene Howard, age 83, was called to his heavenly home on March 8, 2025, from the Claremore Veterans Center. He was born to Roy Francis and Ina Mae (Cooper) Howard on March 1, 1942, in Sapulpa, OK. Ron attended and graduated from Liberty Mounds High School. He received a basketball scholarship from Connors State College, where he played for two years before transferring to Northeastern State University (NSU), where he completed his bachelor's degree in education. Ron held various teaching and coaching positions throughout Oklahoma and Kansas before enlisting in the Army in 1966. He completed two tours of duty in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1969, after which he returned to teaching in Sapulpa, OK. This is where he met the love of his life, Mary Frances Barnett, and the two were married in 1972. During his summer breaks from teaching, he attended NSU and completed his Master's in Education in 1975.

After moving to Spavinaw, Ron began working at N-REN Fertilizer plant in the Pryor Industrial Park. He was active in the local Masonic Lodge and became a Mason. In 1992, he and his wife packed up and moved to Okinawa, Japan, for six years, and it was the adventure of a lifetime. Beachcombing for glass fishing floats was his favorite pastime while living in Okinawa. That was followed by six years of living in Germany and traveling all over Europe. During these 12 years abroad, he taught at several schools. In 2004, they returned to Oklahoma, where he enjoyed retirement to its fullest. He enjoyed playing golf, bowling, poker, and bridge in his free time. In 2022, Ron moved to the Claremore Veterans Center, where he enjoyed spending time outside by the pond watching the geese.

Ronald is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Mary Frances (Barnett) Howard of Claremore, OK; a son, David Evans and wife Gail of Owasso, OK; a daughter, Stephanie Applegate and husband Chris of Claremore, OK; six grandchildren, Farron Evans and wife Megan, Sabra Robertson and husband Ian, Karlye Wagner, Carter Wagner, Ashley Applegate, and Bethany Applegate; and two great-grandsons. Numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Gary Howard.