John Howard

CANEY, KANSAS
WWII Air Force Veteran John J. ‘Stoney' Howard, ascended to the loving arms of God, his wife, daughters, and parents on March 14, 2016, from his Caney home.
Stoney was the first of three children to bless the union of John Everett Howard and Maria Mary Freisberg on June 25, 1921, in Chanute Kansas. His family moved to Great Bend, Kansas, where he graduated from Great Bend High School in 1939. While attending St. Francis Military Academy he volunteered for the Air Force and upon completion was deployed to the Pacific Arena where he managed the Air Craft Maintenance Operations. After WWII he settled in Denver, bought a auto repair and service garage, and met the love of his life, Marie Weaver.
On January 29, 1946 they married and shortly thereafter Stoney re-enlisted into the Air Force and was stationed in El Paso, Texas where their first child, Paula Marie was born. James Joeseph was born while Stoney was stationed in Great Britain. Stoney came back to Roswell, New Mexico where daughters Mary Ann and Julia Kathleen joined the family. He was then transferred to Aurora, Colorado, where John Edward was born.
Master Sergeant John J. ‘Stoney' Howard retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1961. He worked for Martin Marietta in Denver, becoming involved with the Apollo Space Program. Then on to McDonald Douglas Aircraft in St. Louis, Missouri, then to General Dynamics (Volt Technical) in Fort Worth TX. He ended his working career as an agent for the State of Colorado Services for the Blind where he was employed for 15 years before having to retire from complications due to rheumatoid arthritis. In 1982, they decided to join Stoney's family, the Freisbergs, in Caney where they stayed busy golfing and flying his private plane, until Marie passed in 2000.
Stoney was an active participant as a choir member and grounds keeper at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Caney where his services will be held. Stoney will be best remembered for his straight-shot golf and golf-expertise, earning the name "Fairway Stoney'. He loved to thrill family and friends with flights in his personal plane.
Stoney is survived by his children, James and wife Cari, Prescott Valley, Arizona, Julia Stockover, Caney, and John and wife Willie, Denver, Colorado, 11 grandchildren, many great, great-great, and great-great-great grandchildren; his sister, Sister Paula Howard, Mount Saint Scholastica, Atchison, KS; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Visitation services are scheduled for Friday, March 18, 2016, at Potts Chapel Funeral Home, Caney family present to greet friends from 5-to-7 pm.
Celebration of Life Services are scheduled for 11:30am, Saturday, March 19, 2016, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Caney. Military honors will be presented immediately thereafter. Honoring his wishes, cremation will take place under the care of Potts Chapel Funeral Home, Caney. On-line condolences can be shared at www.pottschapelfuneralhome.com.

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