Frank Oliver Howard's Obituary
It is with heavy hearts that we say farewell to Frank Oliver Howard, 87, who died on Monday, October 30, 2023, in Aldie, Virginia. Described as a loving son, devoted husband, generous father, fun-loving grandfather and great-grandfather, loyal friend, hard-working man, fierce competitor, patient and knowledgeable mentor, enthusiastic cheerleader, optimist, gifted and charismatic storyteller, humble role model, and gentle giant, Frank will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.
Born Saturday, August 8, 1936, in Columbus, Ohio, Frank was one of six children born to John F. Howard, a machinist for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, and Erma (Denny) Howard, a homemaker and volunteer. Frank’s passion for athletics was evident from an early age. He excelled as a two-sport athlete at South High School in Columbus, and went on to attend Ohio State University, where he played baseball and basketball, for which he was better known in college. He led the OSU team in both scoring and rebounding in 1957 and 1958, received All-American honors in 1957, and set a school record 32 rebounds in one game. The Philadelphia Warriors selected Frank in the 1958 NBA draft, but instead he chose to pursue a career in professional baseball. He was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1982.
During his professional baseball career, which lasted 16 years, Frank played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Washington Senators, Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers. Due to his large stature, he was given several nicknames, the most popular of which were “Capital Punisher” and “Hondo”. His size and extraordinary power at the plate made him a fan favorite, and his numerous accolades include Rookie of the Year in 1960, a World Series win with the Dodgers in 1963, four All-Star selections, American league home run titles in 1968 and 1970. The painted white seats in the upper deck at RFK Stadium marked some of his longest home runs.
Following his playing career, Frank opened and managed a small bar in Green Bay, Wisconsin in the late 70s and early 80s. He also went on to coach in the major leagues for more than two decades, including one-year stints as manager of the San Diego Padres in 1981 and New York Mets in 1983. He loved working with younger players and always tried to make time to instruct and encourage them, and to share his own experiences and lessons with them. He finished his career working as a scout and advisor to the New York Yankees and retired in 2008.
More important to Frank than his athletic accomplishments were the qualities he wanted to better define him as a person, things like basic kindness towards everyone, a strong work ethic, humility, generosity, and devotion to family. Despite all his time on the road, Frank spent much of his spare time with his six children during both the off-season in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and during summers spent in Silver Spring, Maryland. He was truly a giant child at heart. His children treasure their memories of card games, backgammon tournaments, sledding, swimming at the Allouez Pool, playing baseball in the streets and basketball in the driveway along with many friends from the neighborhood. He often said he didn’t mind them tearing up his yard because he knew a day would come when he was going to miss the sound of kids out on the front lawn. He had no problem being the parent who hauled his children and their friends around in the station wagon, cigar in hand, always interested in those friends and their families. Best of all were the days when Frank was in charge of making breakfast. Sometimes it was a BLT sandwich assembly line in the kitchen (there could never be too much bacon), other times it was pancakes as big as the bottom of the frying pan, and then there were his runs out to the bakery to pick up several dozen pastries, long-johns and brownies, telling the children to limit themselves to no more than 6-8 each. To describe him as “larger than life” was putting it mildly. His children have more than enough stories about his antics to fill an entire series of books.
In his later years, Frank dedicated his time to the following charitable organizations: St. Jude Children’s hospital, Operation Renewed Hope, MVLE, and Veterans Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Erma Howard; his second wife, Donna (Scott) Howard; daughter-in-law, Terri Howard; grandson, Trent Howard; his brother, Bill Howard; his sisters, Christine Deibel, Martha Lincoln, and Elizabeth Williams; as well as other family members and several close former teammates and dear friends.
Frank leaves behind his wife, Carol Howard; sons, Tim Howard, Dan Howard, Mitch (Noreen) Howard; daughters, Catherine (Chuck) Braun, Mary Beth Howard, and Rebecca Thomas, as well as ten grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Grace (Tony) Rocci, several nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, November 8, at Loudoun Funeral Chapel, 158 Catoctin Circle, SE, Leesburg, Virginia.
A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, November 9, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church located at 41685 Corpus Christi Dr., Aldie, Virginia.
A reception will follow the Mass on Thursday, November 9, from 11:30AM to 2:30PM at Hilton Washington Dulles, 13869 Park Center Rd. Herndon, VA 20171
Internment will be held privately on a later date.
Frank’s family would like to acknowledge and thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Stone Springs Hospital in Aldie, Virginia, for their compassion and excellent care.
Online condolences may be made to the family at http://www.loudounfuneralchapel.com
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