Howard Oscar “Louis” Gilcrease of Plano, Texas went to be with his Heavenly Father at his home surrounded by his loved ones on June 30, 2018 at the age of 100. Although Alzheimer’s Disease took much of his memory, Howard still retained the integrity and strength of character he showed throughout his life and Naval service. He was born on January 13, 1918 to William Oscar and Eula (Price) Gilcrease in Joyce, Louisiana. Howard married Doris Marie Story on December 5, 1941 in Fort Worth, Texas. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy in World War II and the Korean War. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Plano.
He is survived by his sister, Doris Hudson Parker of Niceville, Florida; daughters, Dianna Marie Barnes and husband, Charles of Plano, Texas, Sharon Kay Smith and husband, Bob of Plano, Texas, Patricia Ann Wagner of Visalia, California, and Darla Jean Dutra and husband, Kevin of Plano, Texas; grandchildren Tricia Barnes, Tiffany Barnes, Ryan Brewer, Shannon Brewer, Kyle Wagner, Shelbi Wagner, Keaton Wagner, Amber Page, Justin Taylor, and Landon Dutra; great-grandchildren, Noah Weber, Jett Weber, Ryan Brewer, Jr., Chloe Wagner, Natalie Wagner, Asher Page, Adelyn Page, Lincoln Taylor, and Gavin Taylor; and great-granddaughter Zoey Brewer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father Robert Hudson, loving wife of sixty-nine years Doris Marie Story Gilcrease, precious granddaughter Tonya Marie Barnes, and his brother and sisters.
In 1933 at the age of 15, Howard joined the Civilian Conservation Corps established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, building roads, clearing trees, and replanting forest during the Great Depression. He would send his earnings home each month to care for his mother. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 in 1935 and proudly served his nation on the Pacific Front during World War II. On a train ride home from California to Louisiana after an assignment on the USS Marblehead, he met the love of his life Doris, and loved her beyond the 73 years they were together. Howard served upon the USS California stationed on the West Coast and before the California reported to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Howard was detached from her and ordered with an advanced detail crew to N.A.S. Kodiak, Alaska. He married Doris on December 5, 1941 and while at home with Doris’s parents, learned the news that his former ship the USS California was sunk at Pearl Harbor. He would often recall over the years that she saved his life that day. During his long naval career, Howard served upon the USS Marblehead CL-12, USS California BB-44, USS Fulton AS-11, USS Whitney AD-4, and USS Boxer CV-21. While part of the Pacific Fleet, Howard was part of the Solomon, Russell, Green and Wallace Island invasions. From June 1943 to December 1944, Howard was Chief Commissary Officer in amphibious forces, South Pacific. Commendations, decorations, and medals received by Howard included: Navy Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, China Service Medal, Navy Occupation Medal, and World War II Victory Medal. At the end of his naval career of 20 years, he had achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer after which he further served his nation in the civil service with the Naval Exchange system for another 30 years. He was awarded the Congressional Veteran Commendation by Congressman Sam Johnson as well as numerous other civic recognitions for his service to this country. The family would like to thank Caroline Kamau, Vee Nyamandi, Debra Newman, and Harris Hospice for their loving care and compassion to our Father. He will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his service and love of country, his great sense of humor and story-telling ability, his love of cooking, and his faithful devotion to God.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday July 6, 2018 at Turrentine Jackson Morrow Funeral Home Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. Internment with full military honors will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Howard’s honor.