Joe Howard, Jr.

Retired Master Sergeant Joseph George Howard, Jr,, 66, of Mountain Home, passed away at home on March 6, 2013.

A memorial service will be held at the Idaho State Veteran's Cemetery in Boise on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at 2 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

Joe was born on March 31, 1946, in Kane, Penn. He was one of three children born to Joseph and Dorothy Howard.

Joe graduated from Smethport High School in 1964. He enlisted into the U.S. Air Force and trained at Lackland AFB and Sheppard AFB in Texas.

On March 6, 1966, he married Carolyn May Field.

He was then stationed in Sumter, S.C., Thailand, Mountain Home, Ramstein, Germany, and back to Mountain Home Air Force Base, where he retired as a tactical aircraft maintenance technician in 1986.

Joe is also a Vietnam veteran. He was awarded numerous awards and decorations to include the Vietnam Service Metal with two bronze stars, small arms expert marksmanship ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, along with various other awards.

Joe began a very enjoyable second career owning his own home repair business. He was a perfectionist at his work and was quite the talented carpenter, following his father's footsteps as he was also a member of the service and retired as a carpenter.

Joe's best friend of many years was his loyal companion black lab "Cody." He had a very close, loving bond with his dog and they quite often competed for his favorite recliner.

Joe loved the mountains and spent many years racing snowmobiles up at Little Camas and enjoying the outdoors at Pine and Featherville. He loved the opportunity to "play" in the snow or frequent the lake during the summer.

Joe is survived by his daughter Heather and her husband, Wyman Hardman, his younger daughter, Nikki, and her husband Joe Foreman, three grandchildren, Brandon, Austin and Nikita Lente, his brother, Dan, sister Charlene and niece Mandy, along with several other family members.

Joe was very proud of his two daughters and grandchildren and they were the greatest joy in his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two aunts and two uncles.

Joe's most important wish was to keep his freedom. His favorite song quotes:

"I'm just a bird in the sky, over the mountains.

"I fly and none can take my freedom."

Look to the sky and you will see Joe soaring with the eagles and living his dream of being free.