Howard was born in Greensboro, NC to Gayle Van Shoe and Ethel May Shoe on May 11, 1950. He was a 1969 graduate of Northeast Guilford High School where he participated in Future Farmers of America Club, the Work Study Career Apprentice Program and was a member of the wrestling team. After high school he joined the National Guard Army and trained on base at Fort Bragg. Shortly before leaving for Fort Bragg, he met the love of his life Nancy Dodson Shoe when he climbed in the car with her at the local cruising spot to avoid trouble from the police. He began his welding career at his family owned business, Shoe’s Welding and later ventured out on his own for 11 years and opened up Howard Shoe’s Welding and Repair. He was recruited by Carolina Tractor CAT and retired from there after 30 years of service. He continued his education after retirement at GTCC taking metal craftsman courses. He was a member of Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church of Greensboro.
There was nothing he couldn’t do with his hands. From changing a cars transmission on the side of the road, to getting street racing cars ready for the race of the night, his love of all things mechanical never wavered. In recent years he took much pride in his lawn tractor collection and restored them to display at various tractor shows including the McLeansville Lions Club. He lived to talk about his steam engine toy collection with other collectors that have become dear friends and valued every second he spent exhibiting them at numerous steam engine shows specifically the Cabin Fever Expo. He spent a lot of time in the kitchen creating recipes and cooking family meals but absolutely loved hosting annual pig pickin’s for a hungry crowd. He was a competitive card player at all family fellowship game nights, most recently his UNO game nights with his grandchildren. He was an incredible story teller with a contagious laugh and had a gift of making all those he came in contact with feel loved. He never turned down an opportunity to take a road trip, fly over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter or travel to London with 3,000 cheerleaders. He loved spending time outdoors working in the garden and teaching others the farming lessons his father taught him. He was an avid fisherman that was willing to share his Series One fishing rods, his top secret bait worms and the best lily pad fishing spots at the Chowan River with all that joined him on his fishing adventures. Although Howard had many things he enjoyed, nothing brought him more joy than spending time with his precious grandchildren.
Howard was preceded in death by his father Gayle Van Shoe, his mother Ethel May Shoe and his wife of 34 years Nancy Dodson Shoe.
Howard will forever be cherished by his children David Shoe and wife Jessica, Amanda Martin and husband Gary, Gary Shoe and wife Deanna. He leaves behind his grandchildren Cameron Shoe, Mackenzie Martin, Johnie Allred, Noah Shoe, and Adam Shoe, who were his pride and joy. He is survived by his sister Linda James, and niece Samantha Cooke and husband Steve. He will be deeply missed by his companion and fiancé Libby Hilliard and his beloved lifelong best friend Tommy Rumley.
His legacy will carry on forever, reminding us to live a life of perseverance, integrity, hard work, service to others, to maintain a positive attitude even when the going gets tough and most importantly to love one another.
The family will receive friends from 5-7pm on Thursday, January 26th at Hanes Lineberry N. Elm Chapel 515 North Elm Street, Greensboro, North Carolina 27401. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, January 27th at Hanes Lineberry N. Elm Chapel 515 North Elm Street, Greensboro, North Carolina 27401. Officiating will be the Rev. Mark Robertson. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
In honor of Howard and his strong belief in education memorial contributions can be made to the schools of his grandchildren: McLeansville Elementary School Physical Education Department 5315 Friedens Church Rd. McLeansville, NC and Greater Vision Academy 485 Brightwood Church Rd. Gibsonville, NC 27249
