Daily Sitka Sentinel

Life of Donald A. Howard To be Celebrated March 6

Donald Arthur Howard

A celebration of the life of Donald Arthur Howard will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at the American Legion Post 13.

Don died in Sitka on Feb. 24, 2021. He was 54.

He was born Oct. 24, 1966, in Sitka, the son of Emma (Nelson) and Roger Howard Sr. His mother was from Metlakatla; his father, who was the son of George and Helen Howard, was from Sitka. Don was Tsimshian/Tlingit, a child of Kaagwaantaan and a grandchild of Kiksadi.

Don grew up in Sitka, and in 1986 he graduated from Sitka High School, where he was a member of the Sitka Wolves basketball team all four years. He and Carolyn Clough, of Sitka, were married on Dec. 23, 1989.

Don was in the retail grocery industry for many years and worked in Juneau, Boise, Idaho, and McKinney, Texas, as well as Sitka. The stores included Sea Mart, Fred Meyer, Albertsons and Winco.

Don loved his two children very much. He always had a smile for everyone he ran into, and loved to visit with friends and family.

Among his pastimes were watching Disney movies – “Aristocats,” “Jungle Book,” and “Lion King” were among his favorites – and he and Carolyn  loved to go to Disneyland.

Basketball was his favorite sport, and he liked listening to the music of Elvis, Johnny Cash and Kid Rock.

Carolyn died March 25, 2017, and in June 2019 he moved back to Sitka.

Survivors include his son, Tyler Howard, Sitka; his daughter, Jessica Howard (Zach) of McKinney, Texas; his brothers, Roger Howard Jr. of Sitka, and Mike Howard (Amy Jo) of Sitka; and his sisters, Natalie Howard (David) of Sitka, Yvonne Welch (Sean) of Juneau, and Pamela Young (James) of Sitka.

He also is survived by cousins, nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.

Memorials may be made to a GoFuneMe account or by mail to Natalie Howard, 1209 Edgecumbe Drive, Apt. B, Sitka, AK 99835.