Thomas Leslie Howard

Thomas Leslie Howard passed at home on Sunday, November 19 at the age of 93. He was surrounded by his loving children. Tom was born in South Bend, Indiana to Louis Howard and Catherine Cosgrove on April 16, 1924. After graduating high school, he was drafted in January 1943 at the age of 19 to serve in the armed forces in the 754th Tank Battalion heading for the Pacific. Tom was in the Solomon Islands on Guadalcanal and Bougainville Campaigns and then headed to the Philippines in December 1944. His unit’s efforts earned them the nickname, “Liberators of Manila” and his battalion earned Presidential Unit Citations from both the Philippine and United States Presidents. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action and also received the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat. Tom was honorably discharged in December 1945.

When reflecting on his role as a veteran:
For that very reason, we must keep the memories alive. We lived in a unique period of American history as well as world history. A time of unfathomable patriotism. A time of personal commitment against a dastardly enemy. Just now, people are beginning to realize and recognize the endeavors that were experienced.
Truly we are old soldiers that never die but just fade away. So let our fading days be bright beacons to those who follow, to show them the way. We live in memories of children not yet born, yet know us or of us. We must prevail.

Following the war, Tom returned home to his family in South Bend, Indiana. On a weekend trip to Gary, Indiana he happened upon a beautiful young woman in a bar. This chance meeting turned into weekly trips down to Gary to smile and wave at her across her parent’s living room as her father insisted he play card games with him instead of taking the young woman out of the house on a date. Tom married the love of his life, Marion Jean Reed, on June 10, 1950. They were blessed with three beautiful children - Jonathan Leslie, Jacqueline Sue and Madeline Sue.
With three young children, they moved to St. Louis in 1957. Following his long career with Studebaker and Ford Motor, he began work with military defense contractors, Sperry-Rand and McDonnell-Douglas until he retired.

Tom was a dedicated father to his three children, taking them all camping, leading Jon’s Scout troops, sharing a sentimental journey returning to the Philippines with Jackie, and joining Madeline on many trips to California, Florida, Indiana and Michigan.

Tom was active in municipal government serving as Board Chairman, Village of Glen Echo Park, MO. He was elected to Normandy District School Board of Education (served two terms) and Republican Township Committeeman (multiple terms). He served on the Saint Louis County, MO Central Republican Committee and State Republican Committee of MO. Tom was also an honorary member of Rotary Club of Pulaski County and a Paul Harris fellow.

Later in life, Tom was a devoted Papa to his three granddaughters, Becky, Alexis and Leslie. His girls brought out his silly side with many trips to the Missouri Botanical Gardens, running up and down the beaches of Michigan pretending to be a seagull, and teasing their Grandmother to get laughs and smiles out of them.

Throughout his life, Tom was an avid author - writing and publishing many articles, documentaries, short stories and poems. He is also featured in many publications about World War II and the Pacific.
He is survived by his three children Jonathan (Sue) Howard, Jacqueline Howard and Madeline (Michael) McTague. Papa to Rebecca (Jim) Lawrence, Alexis (Zak) Zygmund and Leslie (Nick) Simpson. Great-grandfather (also lovingly called Papa) to Charlotte Zygmund, Annalise Lawrence and Harrison Zygmund. Tom is also survived by his sister Margaret O’Neill. Uncle and friend to many. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Marion and parents.

Services: Visitation at the SCHRADER Funeral Home to be held Friday, December 1 at 9 am with a service immediately to follow at 10 am. Committal with full military honors at Ft Leonard Wood Cemetery at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Assistance Association Missouri Veterans Cemetery Fort Leonard Wood 25350 Hwy H Waynesville, MO 65583 or Pulaski County Rotary Club PO Box 1112 St. Robert, MO 65584.

07/24/2022 EJS