A Memorial Service for Eugene "PawPaw" Howard will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, December 12, 2017 in the chapel of Downs Funeral Home with Bro. David Rice and James Runnels officiating. There will be a visitation Monday, December 11th at the Downs Funeral Home from 6-8 pm.

Eugene Howard was born on December 3, 1936 in Keo, AR to Peter Rudolph Howard and Bertha Pearl Duncan Howard, and passed away just six days after his 81st birthday on December 9, 2017.  He married Freda Lou Haley on April 12, 1958 in Clinton, AR. Eugene worked as a Truck Driver for 16 years, working for Teamsters Local 920 and retiring from Jack Cooper Transport in 2000.  He enjoyed fishing, camping, mowing the lawn, traveling, watching his grandchildren, and spending time with family and friends.  He was a proud Marshall Maverick fan, enjoyed watching Maverick sports and was a proud Maverick "Paw Paw".

He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Freda Howard; children and their spouses, Roxanne O'Neill and husband, Nick, Tina Howard Neal and husband, Roger, Tommy Howard and wife, Tracy, Ronald Howard and wife, Michelle; grandchildren and their spouses, Cody Howard and wife, Jamie, LaTasha Howard, and Darrell Boudreaux, Lindsay O'Neill Eikenhorst and husband, Blane, Dominick O'Neill, Trey Neal and wife, Ashley, Hunter Neal, Tiffani Colvins Tutt and husband, Eric, Travis Howard and Ashley, Will Palmer, Heather Palmer and Koulter Alexander, Brittany Griffin and husband, Chris; great-grandchildren, Mason and Carson Neal, Lane and Braden Howard, Logan Turnbow, Grace Howard, Denver and Landon Griffin, Brentlee Tate, Maddix Rae, Jedidiah, Adrianna, and Jennifer.   Also surviving Mr. Howard is one sister; Opal Reece; and a brother, Bobby Howard.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter Rudolph Howard and Pearl Duncan Howard; brothers, Arvil Howard, Bill Howard, and Edward Howard; and a sister, Violet Archer.

Memorials may be made in his memory to St. Jude's or Texas Oncology.