Clayton Howard
BIG ARM — Clayton LeRoy Howard, age 81, passed away On Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson. He was born on Aug. 2, 1938, in Newport, North Carolina, the son of Moses Clayton and Jessie Lee (Simmons) Howard.
He attended schools in Newport and graduated from Newport Consolidated High School in 1956. He worked as an installer for the telephone company, at a nuclear plant and later in life owned a used car lot in Springfield, Georgia, from which he retired.
In 1961 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was discharged in 1963. He married Virginia Nance and they had been married for over 30 years when she passed away. One thing that he and Virginia enjoyed was RVing all over the country and spending winters in Arizona. On one of their trips, they came over Polson Hill and saw Flathead Lake and Clayton said, “Virginia, I think this is where we will retire!” They purchased some property and remained here and following Virginia’s passing, Clayton remained in Montana while still going home to North Carolina to visit family and friends. While on one of these trips home for a class reunion he got reacquainted with a former classmate, Justine Blizzard. They were married and shared some years together until Clayton passed away.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Virginia; and his son, Ron Howard.
He is survived by his wife, Justine Blizzard Howard; his brother, Larry Howard and wife Sharon; his sister, Barbara Biggerstaff, all of Newport, North Carolina; a stepson, a daughter in law, a stepdaughter and son-in-law; as well as many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Clayton had many friends. He was a true animal lover - he had horses, dogs and cats.
One “Celebration of Life” has been held in Big Arm and another will be held in the spring in his home state of North Carolina. There he will be laid to rest with full military honors. You may send memories and condolences to the family at: www.thelakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
