Howard Chitwood

Retired Chief Warrant Officer Howard Isaac Chitwood (CWO-2), age 88 of Kissimmee, Fla., died Aug. 1, 2014. Mr. Chitwood served 20 years in the USCG at various posts from Annette Island and Eldred Rock, Alaska, to Nantucket Island, Mass.

He loved his time in the Coast Guard, especially his years on an 83-foot Coast Guard sub chaser out of New Orleans, La.

His greatest wish in his later years was to chronicle the impact his service to our country had on his life. In the year preceding his death, while living in Mountain Home, Idaho, he wrote a book about his service experience, entitled "Under Direction." It is available by writing to his daughter, JoAnne Chitwood, at 4770 Old Salem Rd., Rockvale, TN 37153.

Mr. Chitwood also served as the executive director of a non-profit documentary about end-of-life care for veterans entitled "Honored to the End" which can be accessed through the website www.bordermountain.com

Mr. Chitwood was preceded in death by his son, David Howard Chitwood, who died on Sept. 19, 2004. He is survived by his wife, Dolores Karl Chitwood, and daughters JoAnne Chitwood, RN, of St. Croix, USVI; and Jennifer McNiel, RN, of Murfreesboro, Tenn. He is also survived by six grandchildren, James and Jason Snow, Jonathan Chitwood, Laura Peters and Jordan McNiel; and seven great-grandchildren, Hayden, Emily, Faith and Jay Snow, Micah Chitwood and Everett and Violet Peters.

An active outdoor enthusiast, pilot, and sailor, he was known for his adventurous spirit, whether it be exploring the wilds of Alaska, making authentic snowshoes from scratch, creating Indian pack baskets or building his own airplane and flying it. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.

Syrus Pubilius