Howard Friday

Howard Friday
Howard Lee Friday, age 102, of Fouke, Arkansas passed away on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Our family historian, penny pinching, bottle hunter rode out on the old family friend, Tony the pony, headed to the pearly gates.
A member of the greatest generation, born October 5, 1921 in the Beech Community of Fouke, AR. The youngest of four to W.E. Bryant and Lillie (Roe) Friday. (Joe, Myrle, Floyd and Howard).
After his 1940 graduation from Fouke High School, with the U.S. recovering and building from the Great Depression and with few other options, Howard joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), serving in Minnesota and Hope, Arkansas. When the news made it to Arkansas of the attack on Pearl Harbor and with Joe and Floyd actively serving in the U.S. Navy, Howard joined the Navy before Uncle Sam could call him up. He served in the European Theater of WWII as a ship gunner, “looking for something you never wanted to see” (German U-boats).
After completing nine trips across the Atlantic to Iceland, Italy, England and North Africa to name a few, he was honorably discharged and returned to Arkansas December 1945 where he reunited with both Joe and Floyd as well as the rest of the family.
Howard wore a few different hats after returning home including, gravel truck operator, roughneck and working with the Arkansas Highway Department before he began his career as a heavy equipment mechanic at RRAD, continuing his efforts for the safety and security of his country.
In 1948 Howard married Naomi McFerrin. In January of 1951. They welcomed daughter, Betty Darlene Friday followed in 1954 with son, Curtin Lynn Friday.
After retiring from RRAD and retiring as a meter reader from Texarkana Water Utilities, Howard married Odell (Marilyn) Cooper, who preceded him in death.
Howard was a tough, strong, honest and hardworking man who was thrifty to a fault. He was a proud 32 degree mason who served in several capacities including chaplain and was the oldest living active member in Arkansas. Howard enjoyed hunting and fishing in his early years as well as coin collecting and saving money “for a rainy day”. He was a fine connoisseur of ice cream, especially homemade of any flavor.
Howard was a great story teller who enjoyed sharing his knowledge of both family and local miller county history. He was an avid bottle hunter and collector, who would give you a tour of the bottle house anytime he could.
Howard is preceded in death by a daughter, Darlene Friday; grandson, Curtis Lynn Friday, Jr.; and Great granddaughter, Juliet Friday.
Howard is survived by his son, Curtis Friday (Terita); Granddaughter, Marla Sims (James); grandsons, Lee Sims (Erica), Jason Friday (Kara), and Sean Friday; 7 great grandchildren, Andrew, Autumn, Kourtney, Kendall, Shelby, Sebastian and Sawyer; 6 great great grandchildren, Devin, Penelope, Oakley, Blakely Jo, Avalynn and Everlee, as well as a host of extended family and friends.
Graveside service will be 2pm Friday, March 29, 2024 at Sylverino Cemetery with Rev. Frank McFerrin officiating. Burial is under the direction of East Funeral Home-Downtown.
Family will receive friends from 5pm to 7pm on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at the funeral home.
Online tributes can be posted at www.eastfuneralhomes.com.