Karl Wilford Howard
1937 ~ 2016
Karl Wilford Howard was born in March of 1937, in Murray UT, to parents Wilford Anderson Howard and Estella Miles Howard. After a gorgeous sunset, he died on April 1st 2016, due to a stroke the day before.
He and his younger sister Elaine enjoyed growing up on a beautiful plot of land in Holladay. With extra acreage, he developed a green thumb and worked his parent’s land. Later using the same garden plot, he provided our family with fresh vegetables in abundance every summer, so much so, we ‘gifted’ zucchini and tomatoes to all the neighbors forever! He adored being outside and loved the sunshine!
After attending Olympus High School, he graduated from the U of U in 1962 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree, and went on to further his talents with beautiful oil paintings, drawings, and watercolor pieces. His passion in the art world ended up being pottery, especially wheel-thrown work. He loved sharing his knowledge and conversing with artists at the local art festivals where he often sold his wares in the 1970’s. He taught pottery classes for many years, experimented with glazes and especially enjoyed the kiln firing time with his buddies. With an artistic mind he made a career in graphic arts, off-set printing, and silk-screening a fulfilling experience that also provided for his family.
Karl married Judy Nelson in 1962 in St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, Salt Lake City, and together they adventured to San Francisco to start married life. Daughter Heidi came along a few years later, they moved back to SLC to be close to family and settled in Cottonwood Heights, where son Brad was born. Together they/we enjoyed camper trips in the Western states, traveling to Vancouver BC Canada, Japan, Hawaii, and several countries in Europe; Germany is most memorable. They were married for 31 years, and now though divorced, they have remained very close, celebrating holidays and many important life moments together for years since.
He loved sitting in the red dirt of Southern UT, cracking a cold one, and roasting a hotdog on a campfire. He liked supporting his friends by attending local gallery shows, a free glass of wine was always a bonus. Dad taught us kids to ski in the style of Stein Erickson and photograph the earth like Ansel Adams.
Survived by Heidi and her husband Craig Maeder, Bradley Howard, grandson Weston Maeder, and Judy Howard. Preceded in death by sister Elaine Howard.
A private family celebration of Karl’s life will include a blessing, and scattering his ashes in the desert this summer when the sun is high and hot, just how he liked it. Our family would greatly appreciate your shared memories or condolences, visit Karl’s obituary online at www.afcfuneralhome.com
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To Wayne Nielson: Thank you so much for your nice reply. It is great to go back over one’s younger days and reminisce, especially about the fun (and sometimes dumb) things done as kids. Karl often talked about you and your family, and having good times fishing and exploring the undeveloped areas around your homes and finding dry ways to get across Spring Creek. Not sure I heard about the “girls” in the back of the car for the parade, though.
Best wishes to you and yours, Judy Howard
Great writing job Heidi Your Dad would be pleased, and chuckle that you included “cracking a cold one”. Brad, I know you helped Heidi with some suggestions as well, so my hat off to both of you. Love, Mom
To Karl’s Family,
Karl was my cousin, our Mothers were sisters. Over the years we had lost touch with each other and I regret that – -I guess we all just get to tied up in our own lives sometimes.
My very favorite recollection from our childhoods is going to visit at their home. There was a sort of ravine next to the house and it was referred to as “The Hollow”. Karl, Elaine and I would take Kool Aid and cookies and head down there. It was several degrees cooler than up above and we spent a lot of time exploring plants, bugs and whatever we could find. To me it was a very magical place and I have always remembered the fun that it was!
It sounds like Karl had a very interesting creative life and raised a wonderful family. My best to all of you! Claudia
Dear Karl Howard family.
Sorry to hear of Karl’s passing. He was a great friend to me and my family.
Karl was one of my best friends growing up in Holladay. I lived a couple of houses South of Karl & Elaine. Was at his house on a daily basis for years.
A couple of my fondest memories of Karl: We fished many times on Strawberry Res.using his Dad’s small boat that was kept at the lake. We caught many fish and had wonderful times. Karl had a yellow Chevrolet convertible we drove downtown up & down State Street. One day a fellow spotted the cool car and asked if we would drive it in the 24th of July parade which we did. We had a couple of girls sitting on the back of the car to enhance the beauty of the occasion.
PS: Karl’s Dad Wilford, and my Dad Quinton were cousins.