Elgin Howard

Elgin N. Howard, 82, of Denver, CO passed peacefully at the Colorado State Veterans Home at Fitzsimons on January 23, 2009 with his daughters by his side. Elgin was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He served in the Army in World War II in Japan, was a successful restauranteur for many years in Colorado Springs, a contractor in southern California and spent his retirement years in Scottsdale, AZ. His wife Anita Sartor Howard preceded him in death in AZ in January 2006. Survivors include daughter Nita Regan of Denver, CO, her husband James Regan, MD and their sons Stephen and Brett; daughter Valerie Woodstra of San Clemente, CA, her husband Todd Woodstra and their children Lance and Lauren; daughter Nanette Howard of Scotsdale, AZ; son Elgin Glen Howard of Desert Hot Springs, CA; sister Rita Jeffries of Colorado Springs; brother Eddie Howard of Colorado Springs; sister Carol Chartier of Haddam, KS and many nieces and nephews. Elgin will be remembered as a loving and dedicated husband, a nurturing and supportive father, and a playful and fully present grandfather. He relished time with his daughters and their children. He was knonw for his talkative manner and spunky spirit, enjoyed playing the guitar and harmonica, cooked up a prime rib unmatched by any five star restaurant and had a special BBQ sauce folks would drive many miles to enjoy. He had complete faith in his “Good Lord” and one week before his passing announced, “The Good Lord has been doing great things for me. He’s making me better every day.” A military burial with honors was held at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO on February 3rd on a sunny, cloudless day next to the lake, surrounded by loving family and friends. Elgin’s family is so grateful to the loving care providers at the VA Home over the past year and to Denver Hospice who helped keep Elgin comfortable and were there for us in his last two months. Memorial contributions can be made in Elgin’s name to the Colorado State Veterans Home at Fitzsimons, 1919 Quentin Street, Aurora, CO 80045 Attn: Activities Department; or to Denver Hospice, 501 S. Cherry Street, Sutie 700, Denver, CO 80246.