Howard William Absher passed from this life to his heavenly one on Saturday, November 7, 2020 of a sudden onset, non-covid, respiratory illness. He was hospitalized for close to three months and fought valiantly before his death.
Howard was born in Richlands, Virginia February 4, 1944 to Lloyd and Vernell Absher, both now deceased. Although an only child, his was a childhood that saw him growing up on the family farm, surrounded by the love of grandmothers, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Howard moved to Alexandria, Virginia where he completed his high school years. After college, he joined the Army National Guard for a period of six years. It was during college that he met Lori (Lorice Duvall) at the University of Maryland. It was a love story that started on a blind date in 1963, continued with marriage in 1967, and grew stronger for 53 years. Part of this love story is their daughter Terese Lynn Absher of Addison, Texas, and granddaughter Kaitlin Underwood, a student at UNT. His love for and pride in each was immeasurable. He had nicknames for us all: Lori was Sugar, Terese was Dubers, and Kaitlin was Buddy.
Because of strict limits to hospital visitation during the pandemic, only one person in a 24-hour period could visit Howard. The day leading up to his death, the one person at his bedside was his loving daughter, Terese. She had the wisdom to record some of their conversations that day. We will have forever the sound of his voice, his great wit, his legendary sense of humor, his profound expressions of love for his family, and his profession of his faith and readiness to be with the Lord.
Howard’s career was in the printing industry, starting with Addressograph Multigraph Corp in Washington, DC and later joining 3M Company where he held many positions during a 30-year career. One of those positions required a move to Dallas, Texas. Although not Virginia, Howard was so happy to be back in the South! There were so many great business associates through the years that became lifelong friends. Up until his sudden illness, he would sit on his back patio or in his man-cave in the garage chatting on the phone with one of them. He was thankful to still have them in his life. Another joy was the traveling and time spent by both he and Lori with dear friends. Whether it was to Europe, Jerusalem, Greece, Florida, or to a neighborhood restaurant, he felt so blessed to have had these experiences and to have shared them with people he loved.
Howard loved motorcycles, fast cars, hunting, fishing, shiny cars, the Lord, hearing a good joke, cooking ribs and brisket on his smoker, spending time with his family, making people laugh, welcoming friends and family to his home, helping people, all animals, and striking up conversations with complete strangers from all walks of life.
In addition to his wife, daughter, and granddaughter, Howard is survived by sister-in-law Allene Cook and husband David, niece Melanie Nicholson, nephew Christopher Morrison—all of Oregon, and several beloved first cousins – Nancy Carol Adler, Bernice Brown, Dairel Bobbitte, and Becky Walls.
A graveside service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, November 12, 2020, at Ridgeview Memorial Park, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas. The graveside service will also be video recorded and will be available following the graveside service at TJMfuneral.com on Howard’s obituary page by clicking on the following link: Celebrationoflife.tv.
In support of our local, state, and federal govt including CDC directives and to protect the physical health, safety and well-being of our community, the following are Ridgeview Memorial Parks guidelines. All are invited to attend the Graveside Service, maintaining social distancing or you may remain in your vehicle. You will be able to listen to the service through speakers set up at the gravesite.