CLINTON — Edward A. Howes, 79, of
Austin, TX and Clinton, IA, died Thursday, January 10th
2008 at the Alverno Healthcare Facility.
Funeral services will be held on Monday,
January 14th, at 10:00 AM at the 1st United Presbyterian
Church, 5th Ave. South in Clinton. Friends are invited
to a visitation with the family on Sunday, January 13th
from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at the church.
Edward Atwood Howes was born to Laurence
M. and Orpha Howes in Clinton, IA, where his family has
resided for over 140 years. Ed had many fond memories
of growing up in Clinton.
Ed married Mary Eugenia Woodard in 1954.
They resided here in Clinton, where they celebrated 53
years of marriage before Mary died in 2006.
As a Clinton High School student, Ed excelled
in football with an undefeated season in his 1945 junior
year. However, swimming was his passion. Ed began swimming
at the Clinton YMCA — culminating in his being a
member of the top ranked swim team in the nation as well
as earning “All American” status in the breaststroke.
Ed continued his career in swimming throughout his time
at Iowa State University as well as competing in Masters
Swimming as an adult.
He was active in the Sigma Chi fraternity
at ISU, graduating in Industrial Management in 1950.
From 1950-1953, the Air Force took Edward
to Central Texas, an area he would come to return to later
in his life. He returned to Clinton to join his father
and grandfather in the family real estate business, E.M
Howes Co. In 1970, Dan Jefferies and Ed joined forces
to create Howes and Jefferies Realtors — one of
the leading real estate and land development firms in
eastern Iowa and western Illinois. Later, his son Steve
joined his father as the 5th generation in Clinton’s
real estate business.
He continued the family tradition of civic
involvement by his activity on numerous boards and committees
including 1st National Bank, Clinton Planning Commission,
United Way, Clinton Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, Clinton
Board of Realtors, the 1st United Presbyterian Church,
Clinton Rotary, Jaycees, the Cyclone Club, and was a founding
member of Clinton Cablevision. In 1972, Edward was presented
the KROS “Man of the Year” award for his community
service involvement in the development of two parking
lot projects.
In midlife, Mr. Howes acquired new interests
in the travel industry, as well as continuing his real
estate focus. His endeavors in this field continued to
expand his friendships across the nation. His agencies
in Austin, TX, and Ft. Lauderdale, FL, are leading organizations
in each city as American Express Representatives and AMEX
Award Recipients.
Edward and his wife Mary were consummate
education enthusiasts — whether by traveling to
learn about other cultures, or by networking across the
globe with business relationships.
In 2006, their activities were diverted
by Mary’s affliction with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s
disease). Throughout Mary’s illness, Edward was
a dedicated caregiver.
In 2007, Edward continued his love of
travel when he was awarded with an American Express trip
to Egypt and France. He continued to actively cheer on
his grandsons in swimming and football. Ed also enjoyed
spending time in New York City visiting his granddaughters.
Edward is survived by his two sons, Stephan
and Brian, two daughters-in-law, Lisa and Deborah, and
four grandchildren: Andrew, Ian, Sophia and Elena. He
is also survived by his brother David Bedford Howes, of
Florence, Oregon and his wife Pam, a nephew Brad and niece
Melissa.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent
in his honor to the First United Presbyterian Church of
Clinton and the Clinton Family YMCA of Clinton.
