Howard H Howland, Jr.

HOWARD H HOWLAND JR

December 20, 1926 to 2018

After a brave, long-term battle with cerebral vascular disease, Howard left us on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 with his wife by his side. Howard lived life to the fullest, and will be dearly missed by all, including his family and friends.

Born and raised in the mountains in upstate NY, Howard returned to New York after serving as a Navy fighter pilot in WWII where he flew for a special squadron that relied solely on radar countermeasures. His squadron was hand selected from hundreds of pilots in the Navy. Only six pilots were selected for this mission to fly off the carriers at night.  From there, Howard went on to pursue his passion in the motion picture industry, producing and directing for film and television, including the well-known commercial “The Frito Bandito”, seen on television for many years. His gift of invention then led him to build Repco, an electronics company that was publicly traded on the stock exchange. During this time he invented the first handheld portable radio and the rubber antenna that is still being used on police radios and various electronic devices throughout the world today. After retiring from the electronics business, he built a successful commercial construction company with his wife, Joyce. They later retired to the North Carolina mountains where they built their dream home.

He and his wife shared a love of music, travel, dancing and raising and rescuing exotic parrots, which eventually grew into an international business. All that knew him will feel a deep sense of loss of Howard’s bright, energetic and caring presence. Survivors include his loving and devoted wife, Joyce, his son Corky (Howard H Howland, III), his daughters Cookie (Donna Grant) and Kelly Bowers, two step-daughters, Sheila Folk and Julie Jones, six grandsons, one granddaughter and two great granddaughters, sisters Barbara McCaskill and Marion Snell and predeceased by his brother Roger Howland. At his request, funeral services will not be held.

Online condolences may be left at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Howland family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Howard H Howland, Jr., please visit our floral store.