Howard Vero Southard

August 23, 2017

Howard Vero Southard, 84, of Pensacola, entered Heaven Friday morning, August 18, 2017.

He was born Nov. 30, 1932 to Pearl Parnell Southard and Tom Martin Southard in Norfork, Arkansas. After attending school in Norfork, Howard and family moved to Mountain Home where after high school, he graduated from Wichita University in 1955 and then entered Naval Officer Candidate School. During his naval career, he flew as a Naval Flight Officer. One flight activity was with Photo Squadron (VAP-62) conducting monthly mapping updates of Cuba for two years prior to the Cuban Missile Crisis. He served as the first Executive Officer of VAW-115, an airborne control squadron deployed on board the USS Ranger (CV61) to set up air control in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of Vietnam in 1968. He later served as Executive Officer at Naval Air Station Dallas. He retired from the Navy in 1981 while serving as Executive Officer as NAS Atlanta. Following his naval career, he worked in the Civil Service at Saufley Field for 25 years.

On December 31, 1960, he married Lanara Stewart, and was blessed with three children, Celeste, Mark and Scott. Our children have been obedient to God’s Word in honoring their parents, especially while Howard has been sick. Celeste was there almost night and day when her Dad was in the hospital even though she worked. The Southard family moved to Pensacola in 1982 and joined Olive Baptist church. That was one of the best decisions we ever made. He was a deacon at Olive. What a devoted and humble man he was to God and family. Even when he was only capable of making 5 or 6 steps, he wanted to be in church. Bob Hill would come by the house, load up the electric wheel chair and take him to make sure his wishes were met. Nothing was more important to him than his Savior, wife, children and grandchildren. Howard worked hard, but always gave himself time to be with his children. He enjoyed being outdoors, hunting, fishing, and especially golf. He loved his golfing friends who helped him in every way possible to play as long as he could.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents; his seven brothers and sisters and their spouses, Clara (Hershel) Perry, Opal (Walter) Gorrell, Lela Southard, Clifton (Verna) Southard, Nola (Manford) Edens, Hugh (Wanda) Southard, and Betty (Delbert) Peters; sister-in-law, Margaret Campbell; and brother-in-law, Lorenzo Stewart.

He is survived by his wife of 57 wonderful years, Lanara Southard; and by his children and grandchildren, Celeste Southard of Milton, Mark (Joyce) Southard, and their children Nolan and Mia of Pace, Scott (Joanna) Southard and their children Molly and Kleet of Huntsville, Alabama; a special friend, Amy Miller has been by our side every step of the way. He is also survived by brothers-in law and sisters-in-law, Glen Campbell of Chumuckla, Millie and Jack Hare of Milton, Ruthie and Edmond Fortune of Pace, Mavis and Bill Morris of Huntsville, AL, Lorandal and Beth Stewart of LaGrange, GA, Jeannie Stewart of Pensacola; and numerous nieces and nephews.

As our 7 year old granddaughter wrote in a letter to her granddad: “The whole world loves you”, she spoke truth. He served a mighty God and left a legacy for all of us. He was respected by all who met him for his kindness, grace, humbleness and his strong faith in Jesus. This precious man was an example for all to live by. One of the last things he said to his wife, “do all you can to see that the children and grandchildren meet me in heaven one day.”

Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at Olive Baptist Church with Pastor Ted Traylor and Jerry Passmore officiating.

Interment was at Barrancas National Cemetery.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.

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Written by Jane · Filed Under Obituaries