Thomas Lee Howard Sr.

Thomas Howard, 75, of West Branch, passed away peacefully Sunday, November 23, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Tom was eldest child of Jerry & Patricia Howard, born and raised in Flint, Michigan. After graduating from Flint Kearsley High School, he moved north to attend Kirtland Community College for a business degree.

In 1971, Tom married Karen Wangler. Together they settled in West Branch and raised two sons, Tom Jr. and Jerry. A devoted husband and father, Tom was a caring family man, a hardworking provider, and a sharp businessman with a natural gift for numbers.

Tom was a skilled mason and concrete contractor. As a young man, he co-owned and operated Howard Masonry with his brothers Bob & Steve. In 1995, he formed his own business Tom Howard Contracting with his son Tom Jr. He was well known for his professionalism, high-quality work, as well as his strong dislike of suspenders. At age 47, Tom bravely survived a near-fatal brain aneurysm at work. With the support of his doctors and family, he made a remarkable recovery, returning to work until his retirement at age 60.

Tom enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and bowling with friends and family. He was an avid Michigan sports fan, especially football and hockey. He rarely missed a chance to cheer his sons and grandsons on at their Ogemaw Heights sports events of all kinds – wrestling, football, basketball, track, cross country, and swimming.

Tom’s happiest moments were spent with his wife, sons, grandsons, and extended family, especially with opportunities for card games of pinochle or euchre. In retirement, he enjoyed trips to the casino, evenings of bingo, and perfecting the art of relaxing at home with a favorite classic TV show or movie playing on repeat. Tom’s kind heart, bright blue eyes, and warm smile will be missed by all who loved him.

Tom is survived by his sons Tom (Cheryl) Howard Jr. and Jerry (Erin) Howard. He is also survived by 2 grandsons, Thomas Howard III and Timothy (Taryn) Howard and great grandsons Daxton, Zeven, and Kaiser Howard, all of West Branch.

Also surviving are his siblings Bob (Phyllis) Howard, Fred (Donna) Howard, Steve (Sherry) Howard, sister Cathy (Dallas) Neubecker, sister-in-law Gail Howard, brothers-in-law Gary (Barb) Wangler, Kenny Wangler, Bill Sedlock and sisters-in-law Gayle (Raymond) Adams, Gloria Schmitt, Tammy Partlo. Any many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Karen, infant daughters Marci and Kristi, parents Jerry and Pat Howard, brother Bill Howard, sister-in-law Beverly Sedlock, brothers-in-law Robert Schmitt and Mark Wangler.

Family would like to offer special thanks to Compassus Hospice and Horizon Senior Living staff for years of kindness and care.

Visitation at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of his funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Chaplain Karen Orban will officiate. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in West Branch.

Online condolences can be shared at www.steuernolmclaren.com