of Batesville, AR
September 16, 2014
Howard L. House, 90, of Batesville died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, September 16, 2014, with his beloved wife of 66 years, Mary Corbin House, by his side.
Along with his wife, Mary, he is survived by his daughters, Penelope House Duncan and husband Wendell Loys Duncan of El Cajon, California and Dianne House Lamberth and husband Marcus Hughes Lamberth of Batesville; a brother, Edward Lisle House; and sister-in-law Verlene Hinson House.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Lisle and Katie Matlock House; his sisters, Hilda Warford and Dorothy Snyder; and brothers-in-law Charles Warford and Gilbert Snyder.
Howard is survived by four grandchildren, Lauren Virginia Lamberth Patterson and husband David Nelson Patterson, Marcus Lance Lamberth and wife Kimberly Treadway Lamberth, Christopher Howard Duncan, Matthew Loys Duncan and wife Kirsten Frank Duncan.
Howard is survived by 12 great-grandchildren, Georgia Caroline, Scarlett Annaleese, Virginia Gray and David Daniel Patterson, Marcus Howard Lamberth, Ethan Loys, Aiden Robert and Nolan Frank Duncan, Ryan Howard and Meaghan Ann Duncan and Victoria Emilee and Madelyn Grace Vance. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
At one time Howard thought he wanted to be an attorney, but after finishing law school at Cumberland School of Law in Lebanon, Tennessee, he found ''another way of life'' that took him down a road less traveled. And chances are, he paved that road himself.
Howard was a member of what Tom Brokaw has called ''the Greatest Generation.'' This is the generation that sacrificed during WWII and then returned home to build and rebuild a country. Howard was a member of the U.S. Navy Air Corps in WWII. Howard's first memory of Arkansas was a license plate he read in Kentucky. The license plate proclaimed Arkansas as the Land of Opportunity. He wished that it were still on there because he believed it is still a land of opportunity. In 1948 he married Mary Corbin and together they moved to Batesville in 1953 where Howard became involved in the U.S. government's strategic metals program. In 1956 he was joined by his brother, Eddie, and they formed House and House Construction. Twelve years later, armed with this experience and sensing the state's need for infrastructure, White River Bituminous was formed and entered the highway and road construction business beginning a career that has improved our lives and eased our travels.
The image of Howard atop a dozer is a familiar one to many of us and symbolic of his role as a builder. Howard House literally changed the face of Batesville and Independence County. He has built two golf courses, developed a major residential neighborhood, and created several shopping centers.
Howard's entrepreneurial spirit and his strong work ethic have been the driving forces behind his 90 years of business success. Providing opportunities for others was the achievement from which he derived the most satisfaction. He remembered what it was like to struggle to create and maintain a new business. From his humble beginnings, he identified with many young people in the Batesville area, and he has given assistance to them in many forms. Many businesses in Batesville trace their beginnings to him, and they have learned from him that hard work and sacrifice breed success.
Along with the love of fast airplanes, Howard loved fast horses. A quick flight to and from the racetrack to watch his horses was his idea trip. He was a former chairman of the Batesville Airport Commission and former vice chairman of the Arkansas Aerospace Commission. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He was a past director for the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce and a recipient of the Community Development Award in recognition of the betterment, enhancement and development of Batesville and also named King White River. He was a Director of the Arkansas Chapter of Associated General Contractors and inducted into The Arkansas Construction Hall of Fame. He was an Honorary Alumni of Lyon College for his service to the community and supporter of education. Howard was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from Northeast Arkansas Business Today honoring his legacy of vision, leadership and monumental contribution to the business community of northeast Arkansas. He was also an inductee in the Arkansas Asphalt Pavement Association Asphalt Hall of Fame.
Howard loved his family and friends above all else.
A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 20, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church in Batesville with arrangements by Roller-Crouch Funeral Home.
Memorials may be given to White River Medical Center, 1710 Harrison Street, Batesville, AR 72501; Lyon College, P.O. Box 2317, Batesville, AR 72503; First United Methodist Church, 615 Main Street, Batesville, AR 72501; and Newton Creek Baptist Church, 12800 Ogden Landing Road, Kevil, KY 42053
Thoughts & Prayers to all the family. I have many memories of Uncle Howard that I will cherish forever. I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing. Love to all of you.
"Necee"
Erin Warford
(Hilda's Granddaughter)
Holding you in our thoughts and prayers remembering special times that we shared together.
With all our love & respect to you, may your Heavenly Father comfort you as only he can at this time. Mr Howard House was a remarkable man!
Such a great man, he will be missed by everyone. So sorry for your loss!
Diane,
Howard was on of the kindest men we have ever known. We know your life will never be the same. His legacy will continue through his great family. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mary & Diane,
What a wonderful memories we all share. Howard had a way to make everyone he met feel important and that anything was possible. He will live through the many lives that he touched.
Aunt Mary, Diane and family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I wish you peace in your hearts knowing that Uncle Howard is with our father in heaven.
To the family of Howard, I extend to you my deepest sympathies. We have lost a great man and humanitarian. May he rest in peace.
Our hearts go out to The Family of Mr. Howard House. I pray for peace during the loss of your loved one. Mr. Howard was a Great man and will be missed dearly by all that had the opportunity to know him.
Dear Mary, Dianne and Family Members of Howard:
I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathy honoring the life and memory of Howard. He was an incredible Husband and Father leaving his iconic footprints in our home town of Batesville, Arkansas forever.
"Each soul leaves a legacy of love. Each memory a bridge to comfort and connect one heart to another forever". I believe "Goodbyes" are not forever. They simply mean I will miss you until we meet again.
With Love and Respect,
Andrea Menard Cochran
Dear Family of Howard House:
We extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to your Family. May the blessings of God's love abide with you
and His essence of peace be with you illuminating your
hearts forever.
Sincere Condolences,
Bill and Mary Menard
Mr. House was a wonderful man and lived his life with integrity. We have many fond memories of him and will never forget him. His friendship was a blessing to us!
May God give your family peace and comfort during this time and surround you in His love.
In Christ,
Bryan, Laura & Marley Anderson
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the family. He was truly a good man and will be greatly missed.
27 years ago, I walked into the offices of White River Bituminous in hopes of being employed as a pilot. The ink on my new ratings which qualified me to even apply for such was barely dry. Most would have not even given me the opportunity considering my lack of experience for the position. Mr. House saw something in me that day and gave me the chance that every pilot needs to get started in a flying career and for that I will always be grateful. I'll never forget the impact he had on me and my life.
Mr. House and I had stayed in touch over the years and I always enjoyed seeing him or catching up with him on the phone. I am so grateful our paths crossed and I will miss him, and I will never forget how blessed I have been to know him. God Bless you Mr. House and family.
Max Lambert
Denton Texas
Pilot American Airlines
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during their loss. WRB/ Atlas Employee, Larry Asberry.
Dear Mary, Dianne, Eddie and rest of family,
16 years ago I had lost my Batesville Furniture lease and desperately needed a building in a good location. Howard came to my rescue! He and his partners built my existing building in a better location. I will always remember his smile, sense of humor, and how he would listen attentively to make you feel important to him. He and I have spent many hours talking business. Some of our projects never got off the ground but he was always willing to partner with me, assuming most of the risk. I wanted to add this story to the dozens of others locally that I know of he has helped in business. He will be missed by all who knew him. May God give each of you peace and comfort in this time.
Charles Covington
What a pleasure it has been to know Howard. Always friendly, caring for the individual no matter what their position in life. A true gentleman. He shall be missed.
Dianne and family,
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Howard was such a special person. I can remember even when I was a child he always called me by name--that was really special then and still is. He will be greatly missed. Much prayers and love your way.
Dianne & Family,
Thinking of you in your loss. What a legacy
your Dad has left you and the entire Batesville
Community. Our prayers are with you and
the family.
Fortunate are those that get the chance to spend time with an individual such as Howard House. Just to try to stay up with Howard, challenged many! I was one so challenged and also, "Slip the surly bonds of earth" with Mr. House. Have a good flight to the west Captain House.
Rest in peace dear friend
Mary and Dianne: I have very fond memories of Howard from my days I spent growing up and working at the airport in Batesville. I recall washing and waxing one of his planes. It was the cleanest plane in Arkansas by the time I was finished. I also had a chance to fly down to Louisiana with Howard on a couple of occasions in the Aztec. I did not appreciate at the time, but looking back I realize how he influenced work ethic and challenge us to do our best.
Howard was a very special man to our family.
Mary, Diane and Eddie, So very sorry for your loss, but what a life he led. He was a friend to all and did so very much for the community. He truly will be missed.
Dianne,
Your father was a special person to us, thinking of you and your family.
Eddie and Verlene, sorry to read about your
loss of Howard, may God bless you in your
sorrow.
Nelda Kennedy
Our prayers and thoughts are with Mary and all the family. I first met Howard and Mary when I was in the 5th grade and went to the Democratic headquarters on lower Main. I loved politics and wanted to pass out cards. He and Mary gave me the cards and $5 which I didn't expect. He was aways a gentleman. I've talked with him through out the years and he was always kind, never indicated his wealth and loved his family dearly and expected you to respect his employees. Batesville and this state has lost a great friend.
My heart goes out to the House family. It seems like I have known them forever. Howard was a good friend, and a wonderful person. He had a special sense if humor. He will be missed greatly.
OH how I remember the fun Friday nights at the home down the street. The place to be was with the House family! The big beautiful white house ! What a wonderful family to share memories from long a go. Dianne I WILL NEVER FORGET YOUR DAD. My love and prayers to your Mom You and your family. Love Connie
In our thoughts and prayers The Olen A Burrow Family
Mary, Diane, Eddie and families,
My heart goes out to you all. Especially so soon after Dottie. I love you all. Peace and good memories.
Howard was one of the smartest and most astute businessmen I've known. He and a few other iconic figures were the glue that held Batesville and surrounding area together during good times and bad. Mary, Diane, Mark, Eddie, and rest of the family I will be praying for strength and peace for you during the days that follow.
The family is in my prayers.
To the Family,
Howard was a positive influence to Batesville. Your family has done so much for our community through the years. He will be missed. Your family are in our prayers.
Catherine & I have great memories of our service on the Airport commission together, with Howard and Mary.
Rest in peace old pilot and friend.
Byron Joe & Catherine Swafford
Howard was a special person who helped develop our area and make it what it is today. Batesville is a better place because of his interest and input. I especially appreciate his ability to recognize talented young business persons and to help them reach their potential.
A fine southern gentleman, and a wonderful family man. There is no doubt in our mind Howard now has his gold plated dozer up and running, a smile on his face.
Dick and Nancy
Ms. Mary and Dianne, Howard was someone very special. He lived his life with integrity and optimism. He made decisions, didn't look back and carried on.
He led an abundant life and continues so in the eternal realm.
Howard was a fine man. Prayers for all the family.
My prayers to Howard's family he was a very kind gentleman