Denton Ivan Howard

Howard, Denton Ivan passed into the arms of Jesus on August 16, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. Denton was born on May 16, 1925 on a farm near Gaylord, Kansas to Myrtle Irene Clark Howard and Ira Eugene Howard. After graduation from Gaylord High School in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy V -5 program and was later transferred into a V-12(a) Unit and received an honorable discharge. Denton was a graduate from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.

Denton had a life-long career in the oil and gas industry in Oklahoma City. He was a Petroleum Landman for Pan American Petroleum Corp (now BP Amoco) for 22 years. He was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1966 and served two terms. After leaving Pan American he served as a Vice President for the First National Bank and later as Vice President for Amarex, Inc.with responsibilities in corporate affairs, drilling program sales and lease acquisition. He served on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association and Oklahoma City Association of Petroleum Landmen where he was appointed as a Life Member in 1993. He was a Certified Petroleum Landman and a member of the American Association of Petroleum Landmen from which he received the Special Award for Public Service in 1967. He was a 63 year member of the Masonic Fraternity, Western Star Lodge #174 of Smith Center, Kansas and American Legion Post 216, OKCity, OK. Denton belonged to St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral where he served as an usher, participated in Mobile Meals and the Pony Express.

Denton is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Deanna; two sons, Charles Michael Howard (Nancy), Robert Clark Howard (Shirley); step-son, Steven Scott Smith (Kristin); sister, Margaret Wood; niece, Nancy Wood; grandchildren, Lori Thompson (Tommy), Morgan Howard, and Jackson Smith; and four great-grandchildren.

In June 2001 Denton and Deanna moved to Jacksonville, Florida and have been blessed with a loving family, cherished friends, and treasured memories. A service in celebration of Denton's life will be held on Monday, August 30th at 10:00am at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, 3754 University Club Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32277 with the Reverend John Eason officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the St, Barnabas Anglican Church Building Fund or to Gaylord Community Church, Attn: Sharon Conrad, P. O. Box 554, Gaylord, KS 67638