On May 5th one of the original cowboys left his little ranch for the last time. Howard C. Sears Sr. passed away peacefully under the caring watch of the staff at St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way. Born in Colorado Springs, Colo., to Lynard & Anna (Owens) Sears, in the autumn of 1924, his story is that he started herding cattle before he could walk. His proudest accomplishment was his family. Always wanting to be a family man, it took him until his forties to find the love of his life, Almetta “Al” Church and in the next forty-seven years he became a father of four then grandfather of four and was able to immensely enjoy his great-grandson for the last year of his life.
Most will remember him as a man you never saw without a cowboy hat on (unless it was Sunday Service), and never without a story. He was a gentle man, a hard worker and a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Lynard and Anna (Owens) Sears and brothers, Earl and Alvin Sears. He is survived by his wife Almetta “Al” (Church) Sears, Toledo; daughter, Corenne “Cory” (Matt) Moses, Chehalis; sons, Howard Jr. (Ellen) Sears, Shelton; Harold (Launa) Sears, Camas; and daughter, Christine “Chris” (Jim) Beard, Dodson, Mont., granddaughter: Casara (Hank) with great-grandson Carter Smith, grandson: Trinton Sears, Step-grandchildren: Faith Beard and James “Bubba” Beard. Sister Daisy Leuning, Kalispell, Mont., and brother Harvey Sears, White Salmon, Wash.
He is now in the best place possible, Jehovah’s memory. A memorial service will be held on May 19th at 2pm at the Winlock Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
