Mike Howard

Michael Leroy Howard, 59, of Pocola, OK, passed away Thursday, February 23, 2017 in Pocola.  Mike was born November 1, 1957 in Poteau, OK to Logan & Virginia (Bowden) Howard.  He retired from  Baldor after almost 40 years & was retired from Pocola Fire Dept.  He enjoyed spending time with his grandkids.  Mike was an avid Sooner fan.  He was preceded in death by his father; son in law, Stuart Jeremiah; and father in law, Edgar Woods.

Survivors include his wife, Debbie (Woods) Howard of the home; mother, Virginia Howard of Pocola; mother in law, Wanda Faye Woods of Spiro; daughters & sons in law, Amanda & Jamie Allen of Alma, AR, Tiffany & Travis Chumley of Pocola, Crystal & Stacy Richmond of Ft. Smith, AR; son, Jason Gist & Miranda Taylor of Spiro; grandchildren, Ashton & Jesse Pointer of Greenup, IL, Lane Jeremiah of Alma, AR, Logan Burg Chumley of Pocola, Alyssa Gist of Ft. Smith, AR, Hadlee Taylor of Spiro, OK, Cy Allen of Alma, AR, Bentley Bob Gist of Spiro, OK; great grandchild, Conner Pointer of Greenup, IL; other relatives, loved ones and friends.

Services will be 2 pm, Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at Rock Island Free Will Baptist Church, Rock Island, OK.  Interment will follow in New Hope Cemetery, Spiro, OK.  Pallbearers will be Cody Flynn, Frank Moschner, Larry Bass, Scotty Walker, Randy Riggs, Ronnie Bedwell, Mike Winters, Nick Stockton.  Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Jensen, Tommy Kemp, Billy Rowe, Ernie Beck, Marvin Inge, Joe Yates.

The family will be at the funeral home in Pocola on Monday evening from 6-8 pm to visit with  relatives & friends.