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Gary Orvis Howe, 88, Saxton, began eternal rest on Saturday.
He was born in Robertsdale, son of Charles C. and Nora K. (Sipes) Howe.
He was a 1954 graduate of Robertsdale High School and was a member of the famous Robertsdale Tiger football dynasty that went undefeated in 28 straight games from 1952-54. At the time, this streak was a Pennsylvania record.
After graduation, Gary enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was ultimately stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. While there, he was tasked with covering sporting events as a journalist, which he enjoyed tremendously. He left the Air Force in December 1957 to attend Shippensburg State College from 1958-62, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education, mathematics. Not long after graduation, he embarked on a 31-year career as an operations research analyst at Defense Industrial Supply Center in Philadelphia.
Early on in his career, Gary would frequently return to Broad Top to visit his family and friends in the area. It was during one of those visits he would meet the love of his life, Irene Elizabeth Taylor. They were married in June 1964 and soon settled down in the Philadelphia area, where they would raise their two sons.
Gary and Irene lived in Philadelphia for over 45 years, but their hearts remained in the Broad Top area. In 2007, they permanently relocated to Saxton, where they were able to purchase Doc Isenberg's home. He could always be found outside working on his vegetable garden and multiple flower beds on the property. One of his biggest thrills was to give away the vegetables from his garden. When he was not gardening, he could be seen at Tussey Mountain High School sporting events. He rekindled his writing career while in Saxton and had several articles published in the Broad Top Bulletin and the Altoona Mirror, praising local student athletes. He was also a routine visitor at the Broad Top Area Senior Center, where he loved to play pool and competitive card games. He was known to drink a little buttermilk and loved to cheer on the Philadelphia Eagles and the Penn State Nittany Lions. He was an active member of the Saxton Sportsmen Association and rarely missed an opportunity to sign the book. In addition, he loved to attend all the local fire hall dinners to get caught up with his friends.
In retrospect, Gary's life centered around family and friends. He placed a high priority on these important relationships. He will be missed by both the young and the old. Despite having a very large family, he never forgot to send birthday cards, which was an amazing feat. May it be said, "Well done!"
Surviving are his devoted wife of over 60 years, Irene E. Howe of Saxton; his two sons, Craig S. Howe, husband of Holly, of Plano, Texas; and Brian P. Howe of Saxton; two grandchildren, Taylor G. Howe, husband of Chandler, of Dallas, Texas; and Hayden E. Howe of Arlington, Texas; his sisters, Martha A. Rupel, wife of John, of Richmond, Va.; Jane E. Murphy, wife of Bill, of Richmond, Va.; and Rebecca G. LaDu, wife of Bill, of Asheville, N.C.; brothers: Reynauld D. Howe of Omaha, Neb.; David L. Howe, husband of Connie, of Richmond, Va.; and Charles R. Howe of Richmond, Va.; along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his older sister, Alice K. Lemin and her beloved husband, Ronald C. Lemin; along with two of his in-laws, Dorothy Howe, wife of Reynauld D. Howe, and Linda Howe, wife of Charles R. Howe.
Friends will be received from 10 a.m. until the noon funeral service Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Curtis A. Heath Funeral Home Inc., Broad Top City. A funeral service will be held at noon Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the funeral home, Jack Russell officiating.
Interment will take place at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Broad Top City, where military honors will be conducted by the Broad Top Area Honor Guard.
Arrangements are by Curtis A. Heath Funeral Home Inc., 5010 Railroad Ave., Broad Top City. Online condolences can be made at caheathfh.com.