November 4, 1927-September 8, 2022
It is with great sorrow that we share the passing of Howard L. Diamond Sr at the age of 94 on September 8th, 2022, at Hope Hospice Home in Cape Coral, FL.
Howard was born on November 4th, 1927, in Pensacola, FL to parents Thomas J. Diamond and Ethel NeSmith. He lived his early years in the small farming community of Beulah, FL. He had two siblings that passed away when Howard was just 9 months old, Buster and Marie Diamond. Upon the passing of his father, T.J. Diamond, his mother re-married Percy Resmondo, at which time he gained two stepbrothers, V.W. and Frank Resmondo and two stepsisters, Ollie Mae, and Margaret Resmondo. All of which precede him in death.
Howard married Edna Jeanette O’Bryan and they were married for 53 years. Two children were born during their marriage. A son, Howard L. Diamond Jr and a daughter, JoAnn McCranie.
He went on to proudly serve 21 years in the United States Air Force. During his service career, he valiantly fought in the WWII Era, Korean Conflict Era, and the Peacetime and Vietnam Era. He and his family were stationed all over the world, to include Japan, Turkey, and Italy.
Upon retirement from the Air Force in 1967, he and his family returned to Pensacola, where he began a Civil Service career at Naval Air Station Pensacola as an Electrical Engineer. He also served on the Board of Governors with the Beulah Volunteer Fire Department for many years. During his later retirement years, Howard thoroughly enjoyed farming. He was also an avid hunter and angler.
After his first wife Jeanette passed, Howard re-married Mary Sue Brown and remained married to her for 18 years until his passing. Howard and Mary Sue lived in Franklin, TN and North Fort Myers, FL. They enjoyed traveling together, playing cards, and spending time with their many amazing friends in their quaint village in North Fort Myers.
Howard was a loving and caring person, always greeting you with his huge smile. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He also especially enjoyed an ice-cold “Coke-Cola”, Hershey’s candy bar, ice cream, oatmeal cream pies, and Five Guys Burgers & Fries.
Howard is preceded in death by his first wife, Edna Jeanette, and grandson Tommy Diamond.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Sue Diamond; Daughter, JoAnn McCranie; Son, Howard Diamond Jr. (wife LuAnn). Stepson, Warren Brent (wife Karen) and Stepdaughter, Vickie Reed.
Grandchildren, Suzanne Diamond Giddens (husband Bryan), Trevor “Bubba” Diamond, Jennifer McCranie, Will Brent, Isaac Brent, and Brittney Harris (husband Zakk).
Great-grandchildren, Bryce Giddens, Hudson Giddens, and Bennett Giddens.
You will be sadly missed by everyone who knew and loved you.
We love you Howard, “Daddy,” “Pa,” and “Great-Pa”.
Pallbearers include Bryan Giddens, Bryce Giddens, Warren Brent, Will Brent, Isaac Brent, Zakk Harris, and John Jeremiah.
Funeral Services Entrusted to: Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home, 1985 W Nine Mile Road, Pensacola, FL 32534. Visitation service will be held Tuesday, September 20, 2022 from 12-1pm, Funeral Service at 1pm followed by procession to Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery for Committal Service with Military Honors.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.EasternGateMemorial.com for the Diamond family.
