Nathan Lorenzo Howard

Nathan Lorenzo Howard, 72, of Spokane Valley, passed away peacefully on Aug. 30, 2015 at home with his wife and two sons at his bedside following a valiant battle with lymphoma. Nathan was born in Sacramento, Calif., to Edward L. and Corine Lambert Howard on Oct. 7, 1942. While still in high school, his dad hired him to work at the Lone Star Industries concrete lab. Despite the $2 an hour salary, it was the start of a career as a quality control engineer in the construction industry that spanned more than four decades and led the Howard family to make homes and friends throughout Washington, Oregon and California. A deeply devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served the first of five missions in Central America at the age of 19. Just months after returning from that mission, he met his future wife, JoAnn. The day he met her, he decisively told his sister, “I think I will marry JoAnn Fitts.” He made good on his promise when they were married in the Oakland LDS Temple on June 16, 1965. Inseparable from the first moment, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2015. In the ensuing years he welcomed two sons, Craig and Stephen, and was a pillar of a father—always strong, caring and steadfast. He delighted in playing sports with his boys and coaching their teams. The family took many treasured trips to Cannon Beach, Ore. over the years. He was also a dedicated fan of the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Seattle Mariners. Nathan dealt with a congenital heart defect but received a miraculous heart from “his friend, John” by transplant in September of 1993. He would continue to speak about the importance of organ donation throughout his life. Blessed with not one, but two big hearts, he had more than enough room to love and serve those fortunate souls who crossed his path. He had kindness and a listening ear for everyone. Following his transplant, Nathan served another four missions alongside his beloved wife in Seattle, Washington, D.C., Spokane and Nauvoo, Ill.. He had a deep love of the temple and cherished his many hours of temple service. He found purpose in solving challenging problems and serving others and found enormous rewards in drawing upon an inventory of original jokes and puns. Health challenges cultivated his interest for nutrition and healthy living. He shared his carefully cultivated kefir (acidophilus) “start” with friends, family and acquaintances across the country. Nathan was truly happy when playing sports. He particularly loved softball, tennis, golf, and volleyball and, of course, playing catch with his children and grandchildren. He spent happy hours fly fishing, conversing in Spanish, giving away his beeswax candles and working as publisher of the family business—the online newspaper, the Latter-day Sentinel. In his final years and months, he looked forward to serving a mission in heaven—perhaps even a Spanish-speaking one. He is survived by his wife, JoAnn, children Craig and Stephen and their families and three siblings. A memorial service will be held at the Evergreen Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (14111 E 16th Ave., Spokane Valley) on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015, at 6 p.m. A reception will follow in the same location. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Nathan’s life. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Donate Life at www.donatelife.net/give or 701 East Byrd Street, 16th Floor, Richmond, VA. 23219 or to Community Cancer Fund at www.communitycancerfund.org or 621 W. Mallon, Ste. 605, Spokane, WA. 99201.