Obituary of David Lee Howard

David “Big Dave” Lee Howard, 86 Sadly we announce the death of David Lee Howard, who passed away peacefully on March 2, 2016, at his home in Ravenel, South Carolina. David Howard was born in Concord, North Carolina on June 10, 1930, the son of the late Carl F. Howard Sr. and Bertha May Layton of Stanly County, NC. “Big Dave” was a fun-loving guy who enjoyed fishing, music, traveling and a good joke. He loved animals, always had a dog or cat, and a sympathetic heart for stray pets. David met his first wife Althea “Doris” Skill in Baltimore, Maryland and worked for The Boeing Company as an aviation mechanic. Later, “Big Dave” joined his older brother JR at Howard’s Amusements and became the best Skillo player in the business. David met his second wife Joan “Jo An” Hilda in Miami, Florida in the 1960’s and they settled in Fayetteville, N.C. in 1995 David and “Jo An” moved to Ravenel, S.C. and opened Big Dave’s Fireworks. David Howard is survived by three children; Donna L. Howard, Karen M. Howard, and Charles David L. Howard; four grandchildren, Amy L. Andresky, David Lee Howard III, John Warren Walker III, and Karrington Walker; his brother, Larry F. Howard Sr., and sister, Eunice A. McCrary; and numerous nieces and nephews, all who adore him. In addition to his parents, “Big Dave” was preceded in death by his wife Jo An; his three sisters Ruby Howard, Flossie M., Viola, Elaine H. Brown; and his six brothers Donald R. Howard, JR L. Howard Hoyle G. Howard, Sr., Thurman E. Howard, and the Rev. Carl F. Howard Jr. A graveside service will be held 1:00 PM on Saturday May 28, 2016 at West Concord Cemetery in Concord, North Carolina.