Howard Allen Redman

On February 18, 2024 Howard Redman finally completed his life long desire to be face to face with Jesus! Since the age of 10 Howard had made it his mission in life to serve his Lord and Savior and spread the good news of Jesus Christ. His hope in life was for everyone to read their Bible everyday and to make God their all in all. Howard was so anxious for Jesus to return to earth that he started to play the trumpet in 3rd grade because I Thessalonians 4:16 states "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout...and with the sound of the trumpet of God..." He wanted to be that trumpet player. His actual ministry began at the age of 15, when he started his first trumpet quartet to play and minister at his high school youth center.

Throughout his high school days Howard not only played the trumpet but also was involved with his school theatre and musicals. He often played the lead roles and his proudest moment was when he played the Mikado. He was torn between becoming an actor or going into full time Christian ministry. He spent his most of his summers working at christian camps and playing his trumpet. After high school graduation he attended Philadelphia School of the Bible for four years. He then went to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. for 3 years. This is where he formed and toured with the Melody-Aires, a brass ensemble that led Evangelistic meetings. He was also a member of the Moody Choral which traveled all over the country, performing musical programs. It was on one of those tours that he met his future wife, Christine Barville.

In 1955 Howard and (Edith) Christine were married in Minneapolis, MN. His very first job was Minister of Music to Dr. Donald Barnhouse in Philadelphia, PA. His next calling was Southfield Community Church in Detroit, MI. This is where he began his "Graded Choir Program" which included 5 choirs, from 1st grade through adults. It was here where both Ruth Christine & Rebekah Marie were born. From there he was called to Griswald Street Baptist Church in Port Huron, MI. During this time he spent 2 years at the University of Michigan studying Music Pedagogy. After that he was called by Warren Park Presbyterian Church in Cicero, IL. His longest calling was in Buffalo, MN, where he began a "School of Music" and had a travelling youth choir called the "Good News Singers." He took 50+ teenagers on 5 choir tours all over the country and even into Canada. This was a major feat for him, but made lifelong impressions on many of those teens. Quite of few of them were still communicating with him through facebook. While in Buffalo, Howard had the privilege to travel to Europe with the Choristers Guild to study Children's choirs. After both daughters had graduated from high school and were off at college, Howard took a new direction in his career and headed off to California. He accepted the position as Dean of Music for Simpson College in San Francisco. In addition to his administrative duties he also started another traveling music group of college students, Daybreak. They sang in local churches and over the summer they traveled as far as Illinois and up into Canada. The college also sent him for training to become their fundraiser in Estate planning. While in San Francisco, Howard felt called back into church ministry. First Covenant Church of SF offered him the job of Minister of Music and Christian Education. It was here that his drama training came back and he led several Passion plays over the years. It was also here that his wife Chris was diagnosed with cancer. So Howard retired early and they moved to Yakima, WA to their forever home. After Chris died in 2001, Howard was blessed to marry a life long friend of Chris and his, Ruth (Ricky) Stengle, and they shared their marriage by living half a year in Yakima and the other half in Riverside, IL until she passed away in 2016. Even though Howard thought he had retired, he still ended up back in the ministry. Both at First Presbyterian (Grace of Christ) and Terrace Heights Presbyterian (EPC) where he was involved in the music and ministerial visitation. At the age of 92 he found it was too difficult to attend church in person, but kept in touch with many friends through emails and Facebook. Howard's love for the unsaved and hurting people was also shown in the way he lived. He and his wife, Chris, would sit in their garage and would wave at the neighbors and cars passing by. This led to knowing almost every neighbor and bus driver. It was the place to sit and visit with everyone. Kids in the neighborhood would stop by to see the trains; others would stop by for prayer and advice and some just like to visit. Howard never let a chance to share the gospel pass him by.

On January 6, 1929, Myrtle Allen & David Redman welcomed Howard Allen into their family. He was the first born of three children. His brother David and Sister Evelyn joined him 4 and 8 years later. Growing up in Havertown, PA, a suburb of Philly wasn't the best place to grow up. Howard was very mischievous and quite the prankster. Many a time he either coerced his siblings into helping him, or they were the brunt of his jokes. He credits the Lord for keeping him out of a life of crime. He was the longest living male in his family and was preceded in death by his parents, Myrtle and David. His Sister, Evelyn Davis was first to depart and then His brother, David Redman, also passed. His brother-in-law, Johnny Davis and sister-in-law, Peggy Redman preceded him. His first wife E. Christine, and 2nd wife, Ricky Stengle also preceded him.

Howard is survived by his daughter and husband, Ruth (& Rick) Erickson and daughter Rebekah (Becky) (& David) Pierce. He's survived by his 4 grandchildren and their spouses: Rachael (& Mike) Lafferty; Anders( & Bethany) Erickson; Jonathon (& Stephanie) Pierce & Joshua (& Amy) Pierce. His beloved great-grandchildren: Edith & Liam Lafferty; Aayla & Evelyn Erickson; Lily Ward & Makaylyn, Aubriella, & Landon Pierce. His Step-sons and their wives: Martin (& Marlene) Stengle; Gary (& Linda) Stengle and his step-grandchildren: Heather Stengle, Steven Stengle and Scott (& Allison) Stengle

Howard touched so many lives over the past 95 years and had so many friends. He used to say how blessed he was! We believe that we were the ones who were blessed!

..."Well done thou good and faithful servant. You have been faithful...enter into the joy of your master." Matthew 25:21

A visitation for Howard will be held Friday, March 8, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 West Yakima Ave, Yakima, WA 98902. A funeral service will occur Saturday, March 9, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Rainier Memorial Center, 2807 Terrace Heights Dr, Yakima, WA 98901.