Adrian Howard

CMSgt Adrian Miller Howard, (USAF, Ret.), 89, of North Little Rock, formerly of Heber Springs passed away February 19, 2013. He was born at Parkersburg, West Virginia on December 17, 1923, the son of LaVerne and Pauline Miller Howard. He graduated from Parkersburg High School in May, 1941 and on the 9th of June he subtracted a year from his birthdate to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He retired from the United States Air Force after 36 years of honorable service.
His parents, who met in the Navy and married during World War I, were active in the American Legion. When Adrian was 13, a friend in the American Legion who was a pilot had a World War I SPAD. He offered to take Adrian on a flight which convinced him that he wanted to be a pilot, too. Unfortunately, however, his poor eyesight prevented him from becoming a pilot or part of an air crew. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the 9th Air Force Bomber Group.
Preceded in death by his parents, and his first wife, Ethel Irene Howard, he is survived by his wife, Joyce Harrison Howard; children, David C. Howard of New Orleans, Louisiana, Carol Rutledge (Jim) of Denver, Colorado, Michael A. Howard (Andrea) of Omaha, Nebraska, Susan M. Christy, also of Denver, and Patricia Howard of Jacksonville, Florida; stepchildren, Jeff Wade (Becky), Jennifer Frazier, Judy Jett (George) and Jerry Wade, all of Little Rock; twelve grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be Tuesday, February 26 at 1:00 p.m. at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock, officiated by Dr. Bob Dunaway. His final resting place will be at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the 416th Bomb Group Archive, P.O. Box 911, Gainesville, MO 65655.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, (501)224-2200. Adrian's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.