Wesley Dean Howard

Wesley “Dean” Howard, a modern Renaissance Man-Husband to Marcia Renee, Pops to Wesley Matthew and Daniel James, W.D. to daughter-in-law, Tiffany, Grandpa to Ellebe, Dean Howard to soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Bree Anna Johnson; brother to Vickie (Roy) Gough, Barbara (Pete) Moreno, Shauna (Bobby) Owens; brother-in-law to “Big Onnie” and Alice Diaz, Bonnie Howard, and Curt Culbertson; brother-by-marriage to Rosalie (Stepmom Betty née Neese’s daughter) and Jo Ann, Laura, and Jessie Jean (Davis, daughters of Stepmom Mary Ellen); nephew to quite a few, who have always been dear to heart, and cousins-a-plenty; “Uncle“ to many, and friend to even more- has gone to his Heavenly Home on Sept. 22, 2021.
He was predeceased by many loved ones, including Grandparents, George Golden and Avia E. Howard and Cecil R. and Izola F. Green; several uncles and aunts; sister-in-law, Debbie Diaz; “Mom”-in-law, Caroline C. Culbertson; Dad, Wesley W. Howard; “Pops,” James L. Nichols; brother-in-law, Archie L. Hill; brother, Dennis C. Howard; sister-in-law, Mary R. Hill; nephew, Danny Moreno and his mother, Connie Green-Nichols.
Born in Joliet, IL on Aug. 20, 1955, Dean spent most of his youth in and around Wilmington and Tower Hill areas of Illinois. As a young man he moved to Flagstaff, AZ where he acquired many invaluable relationships, several still thriving. It was there he met his bride, Marcia, and they began their family with the birth of their first son, Wesley Matthew. Always loving his wife, they moved to her hometown of Bakersfield, CA to be near family, which became equally his. Their family grew with the birth of another son, Daniel James, and roots were placed, with Flagstaff ever near his heart.
Skilled mechanic, millwright, electrician, fabricator, welder and mentor are just a handful of “MacGyver’s” talents/gifts. Family, camping, fishing, hiking, backpacking, golfing and his pets are mere mentions of his numerous pleasures. He was the employee employers look for, co-worker to work with, neighbor to hope for, friend to be with, Dad every kid needs, a winning-lottery-ticket father-in-law, grandfather every grandkid would want, and husband who loved “Just the Way You Are.” His relationships where he lived and worked were a ripple-effect of positive influence. Dean loved his neighbor as himself, was quick to hear-slow to speak-slower to anger, and lived by and taught his sons to “treat others as you would want them to treat you.” Faults? Naturally he had some, however, Dean’s GOD-given ability to rise above was prevalent. 
There will be a gathering in honor of and to celebrate Wesley Dean Howard Oct. 16, 2021 from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Salty’s Banquet & Event Center in Bakersfield, California.
Dean’s burial will be in Flagstaff, AZ at Citizens Cemetery tentatively on Nov. 29, 2021, with plans for this to be a time of honor and celebration as well. Specific time to be announced later.
Although this fine man will always be sorely missed, rejoice with us in knowing that he may be absent from the body but he is “present with the Lord” 2Corinthians 5:8.