Jacob "Kat" Douglas Howard

He was born in Sanford, Florida on August 12, 2002 to Virginia Hall and Keith Howard, and named by his big brother, Austin Howard.

Kat was attending school full-time at the University of Central Florida where he was a scholarship recipient and pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a graduate of Lyman High School in the class of 2020. For the last two years he was a valued member of the team at McDonald’s in Altamonte Springs, Fl.

Kat was a voice of reason, a confidant to many, learning to be a self-made mechanic, and bravely sharing more of himself and his truth every day. He was a brilliant writer who had a gift for storytelling and a wonderfully dry and honest sense of humor. He loved all things Honda and feline, and cared for his friends and family with a deep sense of compassion, grace and pure unconditional acceptance and love. He is the kind of sibling, child, friend, and employee we all hope to have in our lives, and the kind of human we should all aspire to be.

He is the one who laughs first, even if it is quietly. He has a long memory and never forgets a kindness or an injustice. He can charm any feline within a fifty mile radius. He works hard and knows how to feel pride in his work. He admits when he is wrong, and he tries to do better. He does not harbor anger, and has a self awareness which many adults struggle to attain. He is kind and sees value in kindness. He has challenged us to shift our perspectives, called us on our bullshit, and been loving when we had apologies to offer.

We are so proud of who you are, and so grateful to have been with you on your journey in this life.

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, but spiritual beings having a human experience.”

Kat is survived by his cat, Charlotte; his mother, Virginia Hall; father, Keith Howard; brother, Austin Howard, step brother, Vincent Iannucci, and half sister Mackenzie Campbell, all of Florida; in addition to his grandparents Douglas Howard, Pamela Hall and Arthur Hall; and, by all the hearts he drew near and held close.

Please join us in a Gathering to Celebrate Jacob “Kat” on July 5th from 4-8pm and bring your favorite memories to share around 5:30pm at Baldwin-Fairchild, 994 E. Altamonte Road, Altamonte Springs, Florida 32701.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Kat’s name to the Zebra Coalition – www.zebrayouth.org

Condolences may be offered at www.baldwin-fairchild.com