He was born July 24, 1934 in Sylvarena, MS the 10th of 11 children born to Zeke and Mattie Windham. He graduated from Sylvarena High School in 1952 and entered in the United States Navy where he served proudly for 4 years. Upon completion of his service with the Navy he headed west and in 1957 moved to Odessa to work in the oil field. Not long after moving to West Texas, Homer met the love of his life, Margaret Dooley and on January 29th, 1959 they married. He went to work for the United States Postal Service in 1958 where he worked as a clerk for many years, leaving the Postal Service in 1975. In 1962 Homer began selling promotional items for Howell Sales out of Tulsa, OK, it wasn’t long before he realized he had a gift in sales and found a passion that helped him to become the successful businessman that he was. In 1976 Homer purchased and moved the headquarters of Howell Sales from Tulsa to Odessa and changed the name to Howell and Windham Advertising. Homer was known for his sense of humor, depth of character and the ability to leave a lasting impression on most anyone he ever met. He “retired” in 1994, but stayed very active in the day-to-day activities at Howell and Windham, making sales calls and checking in with clients as recent as just a few weeks ago. Homer loved people and it shown through in every aspect of his life.
Homer was very involved in the local community and was a vital part of life in Odessa. From 1972-1989 Homer sponsored the Howell and Windham Little League Baseball team out of Jim Parker Park; which won numerous city championships and impacted the lives of many young men in his community. He was a long time member of the Odessa Downtown Lions Club where he enjoyed socializing with the other men and women of the Lions Club each Thursday and loved working out at the stadium when he wasn’t watching his beloved Odessa Bronchos play on Friday nights. Homer was an avid OHS Broncho football fan and seldom missed a Friday night game at Ratliff Stadium. Homer loved being a part of his community, however, the one thing that was his true delight was the time he spent serving his Lord and Savior through his involvement in The Gideon’s and as a long time member of Crossroads Fellowship. He loved traveling to local churches and sharing about the opportunity they had to send Bibles all over the world, spending many hours out in the sun handing out Bibles to junior high and high school students. He was a 30 year member of Crossroads Fellowship, formerly Temple Baptist, where he served many years as a Deacon and Trustee and was an active member of the Retro 50+ Adult Bible class.
Homer loved being outside and could often be seen out in his front yard working for hours at a time in his flower beds and watering his pecan trees. He grew up working the cotton fields of Mississippi and his love for gardening and enjoying fresh vegetables stayed constant throughout his entire life. He loved sitting in his backyard next to the pool shelling black-eyed peas and green beans. He was so thankful for everything God had blessed him with.
Homer’s most prized possessions were his family, he loved bragging on his three sons, Mark, Gary and Scott, but his pride and joy was his beloved daughter, Brenda. He loved his daughters-in-law, Trisha, Sharon and Nikki and his son-in-law Burnice. He adored his grandchildren and took pleasure in each one of them.
He was preceded in death by his beautiful granddaughter, Maci Lynne Windham, his parents, Zeke and Mattie, six brothers, Gaddis, Trebble, Bob, Zip, Carl and Clelve Windham and three sisters, Mary and Juanita Windham and Martha Lightsey.
Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 53 years, Margaret, his daughter, Brenda Wilson and husband Burnice of Beaumont, three sons, Mark Windham and wife, Trisha, Gary Windham and wife, Sharon, and Scott Windham and wife, Nikki, all of Odessa. Nine grandchildren, Brooke Harper and husband, Daniel, Faith Windham, Brighton and Reece Windham, Gannon Ritter, Lily and Anna Windham of Odessa and Brock and Brandtley Wilson of Beaumont, TX. And one brother, Cooper Windham of Florence, MS.
Services will be 3:00pm on Thursday, May 31, 2012 at Crossroads Fellowship with Reverend David Newton officiating. Pallbearers will be Dick Saulsbury, Jerry Kelly, Carl Julian, Cotton Davis, Jack Springer, Bob Sanford, Kent Sager, Lyndon Fisher, and John Murphy.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crossroads Student Ministries, 6901 E State Hwy 191, Odessa, TX 79762 or The Gideon’s International.
Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of Hubbard Kelly…
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