Howard Loys Sears' Obituary
Howard Loys Sears, 83, passed away on Saturday, May 8th at his home in Pearland, Texas surrounded by his loving family. Howard was born in Joplin, Missouri on March 27, 1927. He moved with his family to Houston when he was 13. A member of the Greatest Generation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served his country with distinction in World War II. Howard was a coxswain, piloting landing vehicles in the Pacific theater, most notably at Iwo Jima. Like so many other of those heroes, returning from the war he sought the comfort and stability of family life, settling back in Houston and marrying Mae Ummelman Sears, the mother of his four children and his steadfast wife until her death after 38 years of marriage. He also began a career with Houston Belt and Terminal Railroad where he worked for 42 years, retiring as chief calling clerk. The railroad provided for Howard and his family, and later in life it would also yield happiness, as while there he met and married Renay, his loving wife of the past 22 years.
Howard was an incredibly strong and hardworking man, blessed with the ability to create almost anything with his own hands. It was his hands that built the home he enjoyed for the last 40 years, and it was his hands that transformed empty land into a small oasis that has been the center of joyful family gatherings, and the source of treasured childhood memories, for three generations and counting.
Howard was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish, and reveled in nature's bounty. He loved trips to the Texas hill country with his family and friends, and his zeal for outdoors is carried on through his children and their families.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Beatrice Sears, and his sisters, Dorothy Smith and Marianne Matlock.
He is survived by his loving family, wife of 22 years, Renay Sears, sister, Charlaine Bahm, four children, Linda Leon, husband Vince, Patty Carsten husband Lewis, Jan Smith, husband Jason, and David Sears, wife Angela, 11 grandchildren, David Carsten, Danny Carsten, Michael Carsten, Matthew Carsten, Christy Lundy, Jason Carsten, Randy Carsten, Jennifer Paling, Jacqueline Klayman, Jessica Stanley, and Bryan Sears, and 13 great-grandchildren, Mae and Wyatt Carsten, Bradley Carsten, Gabe Carsten, Dillon and Alyssa Lundy, Presley Carsten, Clayten Carsten, Riley Mae and Will Paling, Sara and Kate Klayman, and Caiden Stanley. Howard is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and 4 step children, Rod Bentley, Carrie Tanner, Rocky Bentley, Ross Bentley and 9 step grandchildren and 17 step great-grandchildren.
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