Howard Gray Little

Howard Little July 28, 1947 – February 19, 2016 “Every day has been the best day of my life. Life is a magnificent experience.” - Howard Little Howard Gray Little is a character. The present tense is required because once a character, always a character. He passionately and forever loved his beautiful wife of 45 years, Janice, because she is the kindest person he knows and she dedicates herself to her family every day. He loves his children, Leigh Ann and Andy, more than anything in the universe because they are gloriously, perfectly themselves. He considers being a husband and father a full-time job. He expanded his heart with the addition of a daughter-in-law, Lindsay, and a son-in-law, Phillip. This addition eventually expanded to include four grandchildren, Kennedi, Drew, Reagan, and Riley who created the twinkle always shining in his eyes. He connected in a unique way with everyone he met that made them feel special. The greatest memories are from the lives we share, the love we have, and the household activities that we call tradition. Ever since he was born in Memphis, Tennessee, Howard’s life has included generous ingredients of love, joy, and laughter. In his words, “It rocked his world.” Howard has enjoyed being a student of life. He attended Central High School in Muskogee and was a proud member of the Class of ’65. His senior year he even vied for the title of Central’s ugliest senior boy; a title he was glad he didn’t win. While there he made lifelong friendships that he cherished every day of his life. He went on to attend Northeastern State University for his Bachelors of Accounting degree. After college in 1969, he served in the United States Army Reserves. Howard spent his professional career as an accountant in the oil industry with Sun Oil. As a result, he was transferred to Texas several times and Louisiana, allowing him the opportunity to create amazing friendships with neighbors and co-workers. After retiring in 1984, he volunteered for the IRS VITA program preparing tax returns at the library. He also volunteered at Muskogee Regional Medical Center taking pictures of the babies, driving people from their cars to the door, calling people to get a survey of their stay, and playing the doctor in “Let’s Play Hospital” program for kids. Gratitude encompasses Howard. He felt positively grateful for his blessed, happy life; for his adored and astonishing wife, children, and grandchildren; for his mother Jerry and late father Jack; for his brother Jack Little and late sister-in-law Marilyn, for his mother-in-law Earlene Coplan and late father-in-law Evertt, for his brother and sister-in-law, Ron and Phyllis Coplan, for his nieces Sherry, Katie, and Emma; for his nephews Shawn, John, Will, Jon and TO, his seven great nieces and nephews, for his extended family; for Jesus and his First Baptist Church family, for his heart donor; for his camera that captures the things he loves, for the Little hall of fame displayed in the hallway, for OU football, for his 2hearts and his license plate with those words, for his yellow truck that draws attention to organ donation, the vulnerability and pride of being a parent and grandparent, for watching his flowers grow, for the feel of the wind on the sailboat, opportunities to love, grow, fail, struggle, succeed, reflect, share, and laugh; for life. As joy comes from gratitude, Howard was unabashedly joyful. On 10-10-86, a miracle happened. Howard was given a second chance on life when he received a new heart. The gift had such magnitude for our family that we all try to share our insights as to how God has blessed us. Howard had an enormous, incredible sense of gratitude and he celebrated his miracles every day. Annually at Christmas, he put up a heart light display in the backyard. He frequently said, “There is something to be said for illuminating an area and adding a little joy and perhaps laughter with a coating of love. It is one of the ways we celebrate the gift of life and you have to see the heart lights to get the full impact.” Thoughts of people like you always warmed his heart. Those wishing to make a contribution to the world in Howard’s honor and memory, make your wishes about organ donation known. Check the form when you renew your driver’s license, tell your family. Organ donations save lives - one saved his! In lieu of sorrow, express your love. Somewhere deep inside you is where love starts. Smile when the people you cherish enter a room. Let them see your eyes light up. Again and again. And again. Until we meet again, from the joy in our life to the joy in your life. May every day be the best day of your life. There will be a visitation from 5:30pm-7:30pm on Tuesday, February 23, 2016, at Cornerstone Funeral Home. A celebration of Howard’s life will be held at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, February 24, 2016, at First Baptist Church with Rev. Corey Seitz officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhill Cemetery.

Howard Gray Little

July 28, 1947 - February 19, 2016