Charles Howard

HOWARD, CHARLES Charles Leslie Howard, age 83, of Waco died Sunday, January 13, 2002 at his residence. Services will be held at 11:30AM Wednesday, January 16 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel, 6101 Bosque Blvd. with Rev. Ron Durham officiating. Burial will be 11:30AM Saturday, January 19 at Rice Cemetery, Crockett, Texas. Mr. Howard was born June 13, 1918 at Cisco, Texas, the son of Edgar L. and Daisy M. Howard. The family moved to Waco in 1924. He graduated from Waco High School, Baylor University and the U.S. Army Officer’s Candidate School with the rank of 2nd Lt. During World War II he was a member of the Signal Corps and was involved in the North African campaign, including Sicily and Italy. After being promoted to the rank of Captain he lead a glider group into Southern France where he fought with the French troops and was later awarded the Croix de Guerre, a French military decoration for bravery. He was severely injured in this campaign and was returned to the States to recuperate. He married Geraldine Gerry Hanson; also a Baylor graduate in 1942. Mr. Howard was employed by the M-K-T Railroad before entering military service and after his discharge from the service returned to that employment. He was General Agent for the Katy Railroad in Waco for many years before his retirement. He was a long-time member of the Columbus Avenue Baptist Church where he served as secretary of the Frank Wilson Sunday School Class. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, his daughter; Lynda Hunter and her husband, Tom of Richardson, grandson; Clif Hunter and wife, Lisa, and great granddaughter; Laura Hunter, all of Carrollton. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Providence Hospice, 301 Londonderry Dr., Waco, TX 76712, Salvation Army, or charity of choice. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY