Robert Bruce Howard

Robert Bruce Howard, 60, of Durant, OK passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2014 at OU Medical Center surrounded by his loved ones. Bruce was born on March 22, 1954 in Durant, OK to Bob and JoAnn (Keener) Howard. He was a graduate of Durant High School, class of 1972, and earned a Bachelors degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, graduating with a double major in Fishery Biology and Psychology. After graduating from SOSU, Bruce went on to work for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for 37 years. Throughout his career, Bruce was the Deputy Warden and the interim Warden at Mack Alford Correctional Center in Stringtown, OK, Warden at Jim E. Hamilton Correctional Center in Hodgen, OK and most recently the Warden at Howard McLeod Correctional Center in Atoka, OK. Bruce loved hunting, fishing, riding four wheelers, camping, watching his granddaughter dance and play basketball, vacationing near the beach and spending time with family and friends. He won many awards in Field Archery and enjoyed any kind of fishing and hunting competitions and loved his OU Sooners. Bruce enjoyed working with his hands building furniture or developing the land around his cabin. He was an old soul who valued hard work, honesty and integrity and tried to embody that in his everyday life. Bruce was preceded in death by his father, Bob Howard; grandparents Otis and Idell Keener and Wes and Dean Warren; and niece Jessica Inman. Bruce is survived by his mother, JoAnn Howard, of Durant, OK; daughters Mandi Villarreal and husband Miguel of Burns Flat, OK and Brooke Howard and significant other Levi Bolgrien of Coalgate, OK; granddaughter Deiondra Howard of Coalgate and grandsons Imri Bolgrien of Coalgate and Noah Villarreal of Burns Flat; fiance Danna Mullens-Reese of Tahlequah, OK; sister Kathy Hays of Armstrong, OK; nieces Victoria Hays and Brandi Baumann of Armstrong and Brittany Marsh of Durant; stepgrandchildren Blake, Zackary and Emily Villarreal of Burns Flat and many other loved ones. Family hour will be held Sunday, December 28, 2014 from 3:00-5:00 PM at Brown’s Funeral Service chapel in Durant, OK. Services will be held Monday, December 29, 2014 at 10:00 AM at the First United Methodist Church in Durant, OK. Pallbearers will be James O’Donley, Louis Chandler, Lewis McGee, Dee Hunt, Leon Barrett, Ray Eaves, Tommy Lewis, Buddy Lewis, Michael Chandler, and Jason Barrett. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bob Boone, Dan Reynolds, and Earl Allen. Graveside services will follow at Highland Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to www.brownsfuneralservice.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service in Durant, OK. PDF Printable Version

Robert Bruce Howard

March 22, 1954 - December 21, 2014