Alva Edward "Sonny" Howard, Jr.

Alva Edward “Sonny” Howard was born on May 25, 1938 to Alva and Leona (Mills) Howard in Beaver County, OK. He was a longtime resident of Beaver County. Sonny passed away on November 18, 2019 at the age of 81.

He attended the Victory School his first 8 years in Beaver County, OK and graduated from Laverne High School with the class of 1956.

Sonny enlisted in the United States Army Reserve and was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Upon completion of his military service he returned home, and continued working on the family dairy farm south of Midway Country Church located in Beaver County, planting and harvesting crops. He also worked alongside his father drilling and servicing water wells. In 1975, Sonny, and his brother Phillip formed Howard Drilling Company.

Sonny was blessed with four children, Cyndy, Shauna, and Michael from his first marriage, and Kassie from his second marriage to Luisa.

Sonny’s generosity and kindness was endless, no task was ever too big. Throughout his life, Sonny worked tirelessly to provide for those he loved. He showed his love by lending a hand, always being present, or through teasing us until we cracked a smile.  He got many laughs playing tricks on anybody he could, lots of times using his favorite rubber snake “Ferdinand.”  Sonny loved when the entire family was together. He didn’t cook much, but he was a master at making homemade ice cream.  His specialties were black walnut and maple. Sonny loved his family, friends, pets, racing cars, and old tractors. His kind spirit and ornery laugh will be missed by all who loved him.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, Alva and Leona Howard; son, Michael Howard; sisters, Martha Colling, and Cherry Gonser; brother in laws Terry Reddick and Bill Wheatley.

He is survived by his wife Luisa, of the home; daughters, Cyndy Montoya, Shauna Nichols, and her husband Scott, all of Beaver; Kassie Howard of Edmond, OK; brother, Phillip Howard, and wife Marcy; sisters, Kathryn Judd, and husband Gilbert; Linda Reddick, all of Beaver; Audrey Wheatley, Darrouzett, TX; brother-in-law, Bob Colling, Sidney, NE; four grandchildren; five great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Services will be held on Wednesday, November 27 at 11:00 a.m.at the First Christian Church, Beaver, OK.

Memorials can be made to U had me at Woof Rescue & Adoption Shelter at www.rescueddogsrock.net, rescuedogsdrock@outlook.com, or by mail to PO Box 412 Liberal, KS 67905.