Howard LeRoy Green, born August 20, 1940, in Williamsport, PA, was the son of the late Anna Alberta Neal Green and the late Howard Walter Green. Howard went home to be with the Lord on March 16, 2019, at home, surrounded by his loving wife, Joyce, of almost 60 years, daughters Lori and Sherri, and granddaughter, Jennifer.
In his youth Howard was a Boy Scout and played baseball and basketball. He enjoyed fishing trips with his dad. In Junior High he was involved in the band and orchestra. In high school he was involved in the Student Council, Band, Symphony Orchestra, Dance Orchestra, Tech Hi-Y and broadcasting. He was also President of the Methodist Youth Fellowship at Calvary United Methodist Church. It was at a youth church service in the basement of Calvary United Methodist Church, that Joyce first took notice of Howard. However, she liked Howard’s friend and asked Howard to deliver notes to the boy. But instead of the boy meeting Joyce at the lockers before school each morning, Howard would always be there with an excuse why the boy hadn’t made it. Joyce later learned he never did deliver those notes. Their first official date was on February 12, 1956, after they walked home from Church after a Youth Fellowship meeting. She was called to babysit her five cousins next door. Howard went with her and they watched “Love Is A Many Splendid Thing.” She used to tease him on February 12th that he hadn’t wished her a Happy Anniversary of the date they first started dating. They dated for 3 ½ years before eventually marrying on July 25, 1959, one year after Howard’s graduation from high school.
Following his graduation from Williamsport High School in Pennsylvania, Howard proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1958-1978, retiring in 1978, after 20 years of service, and having achieved the rank of MSgt. During his service in the United States Air Force, he was TDY in Japan, Thailand three times, and other places around the United States. Throughout his time in the service he was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, where Lori was born in 1963 and Sherri in 1964, Hamilton Air Force Base in San Rafael, California, and March Air Force Base in Moreno Valley, California. During his service in the United States Air Force, Howard received the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal. While in the service, he also earned an Associate of Science Degree from Mt. San Antonio College and an Associate of Applied Science Degree from Riverside City College.
One month after retiring from the USAF, Howard began working for Safetran Systems Corporation from 1978-2004, when he retired as a Quality Assurance Manager after 26 years with the company. It was during this time that his granddaughter Jennifer was born in 1991.
Howard enjoyed collecting coins, stamps, old baseball cards, antique clocks and antique railroad lanterns. He enjoyed rock hounding, going antiquing, camping, traveling, hunting, fishing and making jewelry. He also enjoyed being scorekeeper at his granddaughter Jennifer’s basketball, baseball and softball games. He enjoyed vacationing at Pismo Beach and surrounding areas with his wife Joyce.
Howard was a member of the NRA, DAV and The American Legion.
Howard was a strong family man, a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was an honorable man who had a strong work ethic, believed in total commitment, loyal to his country, a hard worker and a good provider. He was very intelligent and witty.
Howard impacted the world around him by being a brave Airman, and was always there with good advice and always ready to help others.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Anna Alberta Neal Green and Howard Walter Green; grandparents, Charles LeRoy Green, Grace Marie Green, Guy Rodney Neal and Myrtle Bertha Neal; aunts, uncles and cousins.
Howard is lovingly remembered by his wife, Joyce Ilene Green; daughters, Lori Ann Green and Sherri Lynn Green Riegel; granddaughter, Jennifer Christina Riegel; sister Doris (Jim) Matson; nephews, Greg (Laura) Matson, and Josh (Andrea) Matson; niece, Wendy (Rory) Lynch; grandnieces, Grace, Lydia, Jewel, and Sarah Matson, and Abby and Evalyn Matson; grandnephews, Bridger and Orly Lynch; and his loving and faithful dog, Bella Mae.
Graveside service will be Thursday, April 11th at 10 a.m. at the Riverside National Cemetery, Memorial Service to follow at 11 a.m. at Christ Community Church Fellowship Hall, Moreno Valley, with reception after. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Wounded Warriors in his name.
Howard will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.
