Barbourville, Ky. - Don Howard , 69, of Lily, Kentucky, passed away surrounded by loving family members January 6, 2025. Don Howard was born to Bernice (Murphy) and Herbert Howard on September 28, 1955 in Superior Township, Michigan. Don grew up in Wayne Michigan and attended Wayne Memorial High School. After high school, Don accepted a position with General Motors in Ypsilanti Michigan. While working at GM, he was given the opportunity to attend trade school where he was trained as a pipe-fitter. Don enjoyed a long career with General Motors. In mid-life, Don relocated to Kentucky and settled in the Lily community.

Don was a beloved member of his family. He is remembered most, as always being happy and as having an unforgettable smile  - a smile that emanated warmth and love to all who came in contact with Don. In his spare time, Don enjoyed going to the movies and watching westerns and listening to audio books with his sister Mary. He loved to travel and shop and loved to pass time keeping fit, by playing softball and baseball. Among the most cherished family memories of Don, are the family game nights that Don insisted on organizing. Everyone would come together and many cherished memories were created from these nights that the family spent laughing, telling family stories and playing board games. Don was a person who found joy in many things, both big and small, but time spent with his family brought him the greatest joy in life.

Preceding Don in death were his mother, Bernice Murphy Howard and father, Herbert Howard and one brother, Stanley Keith Howard. Left to mourn Don's passing are his sister, Mary Delane Smith and her husband Richard; and his brothers: Brian Herbert Howard and wife Denise and Glenn Howard and wife, Ann; Brittany Faye Asher, whom Don loved like a daughter and his many nieces and nephews also survive Don will miss him dearly.

The Howard family will receive friends for visitation at Hopper Funeral Home on Friday, January 10, 2025 from 11:00 AM until the funeral hour of 1:00 PM. Reverend Mann Cobb will officiate, assisted by Christopher Upton. Interment will follow the service, in the Cottingim Cemetery in Woolum, Kentucky. The family has chosen as Casket Bearers: Stephen Bentley, Thomas Bentley, Doug Gibson, Ricky Merida, Rick Smith, and Christopher Upton.  The family has chosen Paul Haskell as an Honorary Casket Bearer.

The Hopper family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, along with the staff of Hopper Funeral Home, Mr. Robin Reese, Mrs. Lorena Blankenship, Mr. Reid Bewer and Mrs. Brenda Johnson, express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Don Howard.

Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over a century ago, is in charge of servicing all arrangements for Don Howard.