Donald Charles Howland

Don Howland was born in Sacramento, California in 1927 to parents Warren and Eva Howland and was blessed with an older brother also named Warren. The family relocated to Southern California when Don was 5 years old.

After serving in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant J.G. during WWII and the Korean War, Don earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from Principia College in Elsah, Illinois. He worked in the aerospace industry in Southern California until 1968, retiring at age 50 from Pacific Scientific. During this time he also began his career in commercial real estate development. Immensely successful, he was known for his “from the ground up” approach to the industry, hiring his children to help maintain his properties. It was not uncommon to see all his girls on a ladder painting his buildings.

In June of 1957 Don married Loretta Jean Hendra and together they raised 3 daughters. Don was an instrument rated pilot and during their marriage Don owned several planes and he and Loretta loved flying together. Sadly, Loretta and their middle daughter, Janice, were both lost to the same type of cancer at the age of 40.

In 1993 Don married Barbara Armentrout and settled in Huntington Beach, from where they were able to enjoy their retirement years and indulge their mutual love of traveling. The good memories made in their almost 30 years together have supported and helped both of them through recent trying times.

Don is survived by his wife Barbara, two daughters; Stacy Jean Rolfe (David), Joan Elaine Cachola (Abel), 7 grandchildren; Brittany Hillard (Matt), Allison Novak (Hunter), Christina Rolfe, Sam Cachola, Kyle Cachola, Jose Palafox, Tony Palafox, 2 great grandchildren; Everett Hillard & Cash Charles Hillard, nephew Richard Howland, and nieces Peggy Hobbie (Rick), Jane Schock (Tom) and Lynn Krupa (Lawrence). He will also be mourned by his 3 step children; Julie Culp (Charles), Chris Cardenas & Victor Cardenas.