Graveside services for Leslie “Dean” Howard, 80, of Lawrence, will be 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025 at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Howard passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at his home, surrounded by his family.
He was born November 5, 1944 in Gatesville, Texas to Robert C. Howard and Anna “Viola” Stein. His family moved to Lawrence when he was 2 years old. Dean attended Bismarck School and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1962.
Mr. Howard was an over-the-road truck driver for many years, working for Lawrence Freight Line and retiring from Penske’s. He then worked in custodial services at the University of Kansas until retiring. He attended Lawrence First Church of the Nazarene where he drove the bus picking up kids on Sunday mornings. He later transferred his membership to Central United Methodist Church.
According to Dean’s brother Bob, during his junior high and high school years he enjoyed roller skating and playing pool. Bob says he was a pretty good at both and able to perform any pool trick shot at that time.
He married Carol Penny in 1967. They later divorced. He then married Wanda Knapp on December 1, 1988 in Miami, Oklahoma. She preceded him in death on December 26, 2018.
Dean enjoyed the outdoors and he and Wanda loved to travel in their motorhome. They would spend winters in Bandera, Texas, come home to Lawrence for a visit, and then travel to Colorado and other states enjoying the country.
Survivors include two sons, Todd Howard and Timothy Copp, both of Lawrence, KS; two daughters, Jama (Jeff) Carter, of Ottawa, KS and Tammy (Jon) Barta, Lawrence KS; a brother, Robert (Louise) Howard 10 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and 2 more coming soon.
Visitation will be before and after the service at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1517 E. 15th Street.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Lawrence Humane Society and to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country for Kerrville Flood victims, where Dean and Wanda frequented on their winter stays in Texas, both sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com
Prayers to the Howard family. I remember Dean fondly from our days at LHS. RIP Dean
Prayers to the Howard family. I remember Dean fondly from our days at LHS. Rest in peace classmate.
Bob so sorry to hear about Dean
Prayers for all the family
Thoughts and prayers for the family. Sorry for your loss.
Dean was a wonderful person and neighbor. He will truly be missed. Dean and Wanda are together again.
To all the family members of Dean Howard I am sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you all at this time and may he rest in peace and not have to suffer no more
Bobby, So sad to hear of Deans passing. Sorry we can’t be there for his service. We did tell Loren, but he’s having heart surgery on Monday so can’t make it either. I really appreciate you letting us know. Out heart felt thoughts are with you. Love Marvin and Kathy
Condolences to the family and friends of Mr Howard. He and Bob were the closest thing to brothers that my dad had when he was a young man. Peace to all who are grieving.
RIP Bro, I know you and Wanda are together again and making a great team. Jon and Tammy thank you so much for thr great care you have given Dean, it is greatly appreciated.
My condolences to Dean’s family. May you find peace in knowing that he is free from pain and that he will always be watching over you.
We are sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers.
Tammy & Jon, We are so sorry to hear about Dean. I know how close you were and how much he meant to your family. I hope the memories you shared with him bring you some comfort in the days ahead. I find comfort in knowing he and Aunt Wanda are together again, they had such an amazing bond and I hope this gives you peace in the midst of all the sadness.
Love you all, Sondra, Patrick & Jake Murphy