Howard Lee Case, age 81, of Germantown, Tennessee passed away on Friday, June 2, 2023. Howard Lee Case was born on August 20, 1941, to Walter William Case and Myrtle Lee Tuley Case. Howard grew up in the small community of Wheatland in Dallas, Texas where he was raised in a loving, Christian home.
At the age of 17, Howard joined the United States Coast Guard. While in the service, Howard met his wife Sandra, whom he married in 1969. Howard served his country honorably for 22 years and was a Vietnam Veteran. He was stationed in Alameda, CA; Galveston, TX; Saipan; Key West, FL; Brownsville, TX; Phu Quoc, Vietnam; New Orleans, LA; San Francisco, CA; Guam; Mayport, FL; and Memphis, TN, retiring in 1981 at the Millington Naval Base as a Chief Warrant Officer. Upon retirement from the Coast Guard, Howard worked for Southern Towing Company in Memphis, TN and the City of Germantown, TN for 16 years as a Code Compliance Officer retiring in 2004. He joined the Primitive Baptist church during his time in New Orleans and at the time of his death was a member and deacon at Raleigh Primitive Baptist Church in the community of Raleigh in Memphis, TN.
Howard and Sandra were blessed with three children and were loving grandparents to their 18 grandchildren. Howard was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Marion Francis Case; his beloved bride, Sandra; and his grandson, Nathaniel Zane Case.
Howard was kind and a friend to all. He loved talking to everyone he met, learning about their lives and where they came from. Howard was an avid ornithologist, lover of bluegrass music, regularly attending shows at Harvester and the Bartlett Performing Arts Center, and read his Bible daily. He had an engineering mind, always creating and innovating around his house. He also enjoyed cooking and gardening. His thirst for knowledge led him to read and learn about a variety of subjects throughout his life. Of particular interest were genealogy, nature, birds, geography, history (especially Texas), and religion. He enjoyed researching in his Merck manual in his later years.
He raised his family well, ensuring they were always in church. He was a true neighbor living in the same neighborhood for 42 years.
Howard faithfully fulfilled his marriage vows as he lovingly cared for his wife throughout her fight with cancer.
Howard is survived by his daughter, Rebecca Thomas, and husband Troy of Ohio; daughter, Catherine Blevins, and husband Chris of Texas; son, Matthew Case, and wife Rebecca of Tennessee; grandchildren: Emmeline, Cassandra, Abigail, Charity, Elijah, Case, Asher, Naomi, Ella, Isaiah, Joshua Levi, Felicity, Evangalee, Lorianna, Walter, Malachi, and Mercy; sister, Monette Hansard; brother, Walter Raleigh Case, and wife Rita, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends.
Howard will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
