Donald Joe Howard

Staff Sergeant (SSG) Donald Joe Howard, Veteran of the US ARMY, Vietnam Era, born 6/22/1944 passed away at his residence in Riceville, TN August 3, 2023.
SSG Howard Served our country from Sept 17, 1968 to July 30, 1970, serving as a gunner and being a part of the first ever American Helicopter Medi-VAC team sent to the front line to extract wounded soldiers.
SSG Howard was proceeded in death by father; Ira Howard and mother; Carrie Bunch Howard, Sisters; Marcia L. Shelton (KEN), Dorothy Howard Jones (Richard), Brothers; Jimmy Melvin Howard; Charles Robert Howard (Girleen).
He is survived by daughter, Donna Denise Howard of Knoxville TN, Sister; Alice Howard Settle (Danny) of Daytona Bch, FL, Brother; Ira Allan Howard (Marilyn) of Manchester TN. 
After Vietnam campaign he served in Tennessee National Guard until retirement. Don was an eletrictian by trade working at Y-12 Oak Ridge, TN and TVA nuclear plant at Watts Bar. He served 10 years as team Manager with Mid-Tenn Turf at Benton until retirement. 
Special thanks to his caregivers, Leslie Walden and family. 
Funeral services will be 3pm Tuesday, August 8, 2023 in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home, with Karson Miller and Jimmy Crisp Officiating. Military interment will follow at Upper Spring Creek Church of Christ Cemetery, 325 County Road 117, Riceville TN. The family will receive friends from 1-3pm Tuesday August 8, 2023. Condolences can be sent to https://www.laycock-hobbs.com/obituaries/donald-howard
Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home, Athens TN is in charge of the arrangements.