Hartley Joseph Kehr Howard

Hartley Joseph Kehr Howard, 81, of Ranger, passed away Monday, May 12, 2014.
Joe was born on January 5, 1933, in St. Petersburg, Florida to the late Chester Hartley Howard and Marion Kehr Howard.

After graduating from Florida State University, he served his country faithfully in the United States Military for more than 27 years. He retired as a Sergeant First Class from the US Army, where he received numerous decorations and medals for his honorable service. Joe was known for his deep knowledge and love of American history, specifically the Civil War era. He was a member of Roswell Street Baptist Church of Marietta for many years and a current member of Belmont Baptist Church. He loved his God, his family and his country.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Eunice Z. Howard, of Ranger; his son Joseph Hartley Howard of Marietta; his daughter, Julia H. Graves and her husband Tom of Ranger; and four grandchildren, JoAnn Graves, John Graves, Janey Graves of Ranger, and Conner Brown of Kennesaw. He is also survived by his sister, Sharon Howard Stuart of Albuquerque, NM; and a nephew, Nick Schiess of Florida.

A small ceremony with family and friends was conducted on Monday, May 19, at 12pm at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, with Chaplain Knox Herndon officiating. The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Childrens Ministry at Belmont Baptist Church or to the Senior Mens Ministry, and Roswell Street Baptist Church. Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.