JUNE 23, 1924 – JULY 21, 2021
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of a loving father, devoted husband, son and brother Howell L. Heald. Howell passed peacefully on July 21, 2021.
He was a charter member of The Greatest Generation. Howell was born June 23, 1924 in Thomasville, Georgia. Following the premature death of his parents, he was raised by his older sister Lucille and her husband in Leesburg FL. He graduated from Leesburg High in 1943 and as he once mentioned “Uncle Sam was waiting for me the second I stepped off the stage”. Howell proudly served his country during WW II in the US Army as a medic. He recalled tearing up (along with a lot of other guys) upon seeing the Statue of Liberty as his troopship sailed into New York harbor on a foggy morning.
Upon returning home, he availed himself of the GI Bill and graduated from the University of Florida where he became afflicted with a passion for all things Orange and Blue. A disease which he successfully passed on to all his family.
Upon graduation, Howell went to work for the FMC Corporation representing their agricultural interests in central, and later southwest Florida. While visiting Daytona Beach he met a young lady from up north, Patricia Boll, which shortly blossomed into a fifty four year marriage. During the next thirty years Howell and Pat raised three boys, planted an orange grove by hand, survived a direct hit by Hurricane Donna (after if leveled Naples), and endured multiple floods and freezes.
In 1965 he moved to the then small agricultural town of Naples, family in tow. In 1982 he decided to strike out on his own and started Farmers Supply in Immokalee which his sons later took over allowing him to enjoy a well earned retirement.
Howell will always be remembered for his steadfast devotion to his family and his ceaselessly cheerful attitude, no matter the adversity. He loved his Gators, even when they didn’t love him, which was often, at least before Steve Spurrier. He had a true love-hate relationship with golf but never stopped trying to master the game. He loved watching his sons, and later his grandsons play all sports, a constant presence in the stands.
Howell was preceded in death by his wife Pat, brothers Wilson and Daniel, sister Lucille and grandson Preston. He is survived by his sons Fred (Diane), Brad, and Kevin (Laura). Also his grandsons Trevor, Tyler, Keegan and Riley.
A memorial service will be held Monday, August second at Hodges Funeral at Naples Memorial Gardens. Visitation at noon to one, followed by a brief service, Honor guard and interment. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Avow Hospice.
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of a loving father, devoted husband, son and brother Howell L. Heald. Howell passed peacefully on July 21, 2021.
He was a charter member of The Greatest Generation. Howell was born June 23, 1924 in Thomasville, Georgia. Following the premature death of his parents, he was raised by his older sister Lucille and her husband in Leesburg FL. He graduated from Leesburg High in 1943 and as he once mentioned “Uncle Sam was waiting for me the second I stepped off the stage”. Howell proudly served his country during WW II in the US Army as a medic. He recalled tearing up (along with a lot of other guys) upon seeing the Statue of Liberty as his troopship sailed into New York harbor on a foggy morning.
Upon returning home, he availed himself of the GI Bill and graduated from the University of Florida where he became afflicted with a passion for all things Orange and Blue. A disease which he successfully passed on to all his family.
Upon graduation, Howell went to work for the FMC Corporation representing their agricultural interests in central, and later southwest Florida. While visiting Daytona Beach he met a young lady from up north, Patricia Boll, which shortly blossomed into a fifty four year marriage. During the next thirty years Howell and Pat raised three boys, planted an orange grove by hand, survived a direct hit by Hurricane Donna (after if leveled Naples), and endured multiple floods and freezes.
In 1965 he moved to the then small agricultural town of Naples, family in tow. In 1982 he decided to strike out on his own and started Farmers Supply in Immokalee which his sons later took over allowing him to enjoy a well earned retirement.
Howell will always be remembered for his steadfast devotion to his family and his ceaselessly cheerful attitude, no matter the adversity. He loved his Gators, even when they didn’t love him, which was often, at least before Steve Spurrier. He had a true love-hate relationship with golf but never stopped trying to master the game. He loved watching his sons, and later his grandsons play all sports, a constant presence in the stands.
Howell was preceded in death by his wife Pat, brothers Wilson and Daniel, sister Lucille and grandson Preston. He is survived by his sons Fred (Diane), Brad, and Kevin (Laura). Also his grandsons Trevor, Tyler, Keegan and Riley.
A memorial service will be held Monday, August second at Hodges Funeral at Naples Memorial Gardens. Visitation at noon to one, followed by a brief service, Honor guard and interment. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Avow Hospice.
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