Thomas W. Howard

Thomas W. Howard, age 91, of Mt. Hope, WV, passed away on Monday, November 25, 2013 at his residence. Born February 11, 1922 at Mt. Hope, WV, he was the son of the late Charles E. and Gwendolyn “Gwen” Williams Howard. Mr. Howard was a 1939 graduate of Mt. Hope High School and studied a year at Greenbrier Military Institute and went on to West Virginia University earning BS and MS degrees in Mining Engineering.   He served his country during WWII fighting in the Pacific Theatre  aboard the LST 880.    He was a member of the Mt Hope Presbyterian Church where he served for many years as a Deacon, Trustee and teacher of the Men's Bible Class.   He was a avid pilot learning to fly as a teenager and became an instrument and commercial rated private pilot.  He regularly flew various aircraft for business and pleasure until about the age of 80.  He was an outdoors man who loved to hunt and fish.   His work has always been in the coal industry.  In 1961,  while serving as Chief Engineer for The New River Company in Mt. Hope,  he formed his own consulting Engineering firm, “Thomas W. Howard, Inc.”  The company served clients in West Virginia, surrounding states and occasionally abroad.    In 1970 Mr. Howard became General Manager of Beaver Coal Company, Ltd. and served in that capacity for over 20 years.  His also served on the Beaver Management Corporation's Board of Directors for many years.    He was a Registered Professional Engineer, ‘Legion of Honor’ Member of the Society of Mining Engineers and served on the WV State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.  His overall contributions to the coal business are well recognized by all in the industry.  The family also wishes to thank Mr. Howard’s long time secretary, office manager and assistant, Margaret Bickford.  In 2010 Mr. Howard was inducted into the West Virginia Coal Hall of Fame. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth (Betty) Sibray Howard. Surviving are his three children, Thomas W. Howard, II, M.D. and his wife Jan of Hurricane,   Linda Howard Brown and husband Steve of Mt. Hope,  Charles Howard and his wife  Lorna Waddell of Morgantown, six grandchildren, Thomas W. Howard, III, M.D., Victor Alex Howard, M.D., James Grant Howard, William Brett Brown, Will Howard and Charley Howard.  Also surviving is his sister, Patricia (Pat) Spickard of Shelbyville, KY.   A special thanks to all his caregivers including: Misty Hall, Sarah Acord, Heather Bowyer, Wanda Ball and to Hospice of Southern WV for their excellent care and oversight.   Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, November 29, 2013 at the Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church 412 Main Street, Mt. Hope with Rev. Elizabeth Stone officiating.  Entombment will follow at High Lawn  Memorial Park Mausoleum, Oak Hill. Friends may call at the church on hour prior to services on Friday, November 29, 2013.    In lieu of flowers donation of sympathy can be made to the Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church, 412 Main Street, Mt. Hope, WV  25880 or to the Greater Mt. Hope Community Fund, 211 Bluestone Road, Mt. Hope, WV  25880.  Online condolences may be sent to www.tyreefuneralhome.com . Arrangements by Tyree funeral Home, Mt. Hope, WV.