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Robert Leslie Howington
February 12, 2017
Robert Leslie Howington, of Century, Florida, entered Heaven’s gates on February 8, 2017 at his daughter’s home in Owasso, Oklahoma. He was surrounded by his three daughters and wife when he passed away.
Mr. Howington, as many of his students would know him, was in Education in Florida as a Speech Therapist and School Administrator. He would trade the paperwork for time with the students any day, which resulted in changed lives of many students whom he touched during his years as a teacher.
Bob was a member of First Baptist Church in Century, FL. He took time to minister to widows in his neighborhood and community. The satisfaction of knowing he had done what God called him to do was the only recognition he required. He loved spending time outdoors and enjoyed casting his reel into the water to catch a few fish. His love of fishing he passed on to his grandsons as he taught them how to fish.
Bob was a member of Century Lodge #213 F & AM Masonic Lodge for 50 years, where he served as Worshipful Master in the 1970’s.
Bob served his home of three girls and wife as a loving husband, father, mechanic, builder, electrician, and repair man. His daughters thought of him as the man who could do anything. He often referred to his home as a Girl’s Dormitory which meant he was the Dorm Parent and oversaw the antics of his wife, his girls and the friends they brought home. He and his dog Rebel, would go fishing when the girl drama got too much to handle.
Bob played high school football until he contracted Polio when he was 17. Bob meant so much to his friends that they piled up in the back of a truck, pulled near the army barrack hospital so they could visit through the window while he was in quarantine during his Polio treatment. Instead of allowing Polio to rob him of a full life, Bob learned to conquer the challenges the illness presented.
He continued to be a rambunctious teenage boy, and grew to be a hardworking husband, and father to his girls who did not even realize he was different from other fathers until they were in their early teens.
When asked why they never had any sons, Bob and Jane would reply, “God looked down on this house and saw it only needed one man.” With Robert Leslie Howington as that man, God was right, it just took one.
Robert Leslie Howington was born on April 11, 1936 in Birmingham, Alabama. Bob is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jane Beverly Howington; three daughters, Beverly Howington Dishman and husband Scott of Huntsville, Alabama, Judith Howington Merritt and husband Mark of Owasso, Oklahoma, and Leslie Jane Howington of Century, Florida; one sister, Martha Ann Howington Thomas and husband Charles of Daphne, Alabama; eight grandchildren, Andrew Merritt and wife Kimberly of Collinsville, Oklahoma, Rachel Merritt of Collinsville, Oklahoma, Hannah Merritt Underwood and husband Brock of Collinsville, Oklahoma, Tyler Williams of West Palm Beach, Florida, Tristan Williams of Century, Florida, Marina Bartlett-Dishman of Madison, Alabama; and two great-grandchildren Ryder Underwood and Grant Underwood; extended family – Cesar Gonzalez of Century, Florida; Cesar A. Gonzalez and Juliana Gonzalez of VillaViCencio, Colombia, South America and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Robbie Howington and one brother, William E. Howington.
Services to celebrate the life of this wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son and brother were held at First Baptist Church of Century, Florida on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 11:30 a.m.
Comments
2 Responses to “Robert Leslie Howington”
A great man. It was a blessing to have know him and Mrs. Jane while growing up in Century. Mom ans dad felt a connection because of my brother, Dexter, having polio as a child also. They became good friends. Sorry we missed the services.
What a blessing it has been to know and love Mr. Howington. His love for Christ and for others was so evident in everything he did and said. This is truly obvious in the legacy he has left, especially with his children. Being a guest in his family’s home was something I will always remember as “structured yet full of love.” I remember how I would sometimes get to ring the bell when it was supper time. Special comfort to his family during this time, but what a blessing knowing he is at home at last.