A good man with a genuinely kind and loving spirit. This is what comes to mind when one hears the name Tom Howard. Sadly, Thomas Howard, Jr. of Ashburn, Virginia passed away on March 1, 2011. Tom was 81 years old.
 

One of two children, Thomas Burke Howard, Jr. was born on September 21, 1929 in Washington, D.C. to parents Thomas Burke Howard, Sr. and Dorothy (Breeding) Howard. He and his wife, Kathleen, were married on October 11, 1958. They were blessed with two children, Thomas III and Elizabeth. Tom loved being a husband and father. Always looking forward to the holidays; he found ways to decorate and make each one special for his wife. He was so proud of his children, their accomplishments and the adults they became. Tom loved to sing and go bowling. He loved going camping and fishing with his family.

An educated man, he was a graduate from Lynchburg College (earning a BS in Mathematics and Physics) and Penn State (earning an MA in Ceramic Engineering and Metallurgy). A Ceramic Engineer, Tom was recruited by Boeing to work on the design of the 707. He was later recruited by RCA for various project designs. After 32 years, Tom retired as the lead engineer. Through his various designs, Tom became the holder of 16 patents. He shared his love of bowling with fellow employees while bowling on the company league. He belonged to Toastmasters.

Totally devoted to the church, Tom attended the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Mountaintop, Pennsylvania for 19 years; later attending the Resurrection Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia for the past 20 years. He served on the building committee - actually onsite watching the demolition of one of the buildings when he received the call of the birth of his grandson. Tom looked up and gave thanks to God for that little baby. He served as a church trustee, an usher and a Sunday School teacher. Tom loved providing help to anyone in any way he could.

Tom never tired of spending time with his family, always telling his wife and children, "The best day of my life is any day spent with you." Those left to cherish and pass down these memories and more are his most loved wife of 52 years, Kathleen K. Howard; cherished children Thomas B. Howard, III (and daughter-in-law Lisa Howard) and Elizabeth "Beth" A. Howard; precious grandson Thomas B. Howard, IV; nephews John (Kirsten) Decker and Richard (SueAnn) Decker; and great nieces Rebecca, Skyelar and Lori.

A service will take place at the St. James Episcopal Church on Saturday, March 5, 2011 starting at 12:30 p.m. Father Kate Bryant and the Reverends Jim and Carol Kniseley will be officiating. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers  gifts may be given in memory of Tom.  All funds received will be divided 50/50 between Resurrection Lutheran's Endowment Fund and St. James Episcopal's Scholarship Fund.  Please make all checks to Resurrection Lutheran Church.