Michael W. Howe
August 1, 1964 ~ March 30, 2008
Andover, KS - Howe, Michael W., 43, passed away Sunday, March 30, 2008 at Keystone Medical Center, Keystone, Colorado from injuries sustained in a skiing accident. Vigil service 7:00 P.M. Friday, April 4, 2008, and funeral mass 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 5, 2008, both at Church of the Magdalen. Burial will be at Old Mission Cemetery, Wichita. Michael was born August 1, 1964 in Wichita, the son of Larry Linda (McCullough) Howe. He was a graduate of Wichita Southeast High School and Southwestern College, Winfield, with degrees in history and biology. He also attended Friends University where he received a masters of science degree in management. He spent 19 years as a high school teacher and coach in Bonner Springs, KS and Wichita, as well as head cross country and track coach at Friends University. In 2006 he decided to pursue a new career and was currently a sales representative for Zep Manufacturing. He was an avid runner and enjoyed landscaping. Michael loved nature and the outdoors and was happiest when the sun was shining. Michael was a member of the Church of the Magdalen. In 1987 he married Susanna Harris, they later divorced. He then married Jill Tasset on December 31, 2005 in Dodge City. She survives. Michael was a loving father and leaves behind two daughters, Hayleigh Christine and Hannah Katherine Howe, and one son, Logan Harris Howe, all of Andover; his parents, Larry and Linda Howe, of Rose Hill; brothers, John McCalla and his wife Karen, of Andover, and J. Brad Howe and his wife Jessica, of Wichita; one sister, Catherine Howe, of Rose Hill. Michael was preceded in death by his grandparents, Lawrence and Gladys Howe, and James “Newt” and Lois McCullough. Memorials have been established with the Howe Children Education Fund, c/o Bank of America, 329 S. Andover Rd., Andover, KS, 67002 and Cross Country Scholarship Fund, Southwestern College, 100 College St., Winfield, KS, 67156. Downing Lahey Mortuary East.
Viewing hours will be 8:00 AM ~ 9:00 PM, Thursday, April 3 and 8:00 AM ~ 5:00 PM, Friday, April 4 at Downing Lahey Mortuary East. Vigil service will be 7:00 P.M. Friday, April 4, at Church of the Magdalen. Burial will be at Old Mission Cemetery, Wichita.
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I first met Coach Howe when I was born and ever since then we have spent many times together doing all different things. He taught me a lot about life, running, and many other things that he enjoyed. Coach and I had many deep conversations about life and our connection with each other that often made both of us cry. When I first found out about his passing I kept saying that it wasn’t him. I was still hoping that he would come back safe and sound but after it all sank in and he didn’t come back I started to believe it. Coach Howe and I knew each other for fourteen years before he passed away and I will miss everything about him dearly. I love you daddy more than you can imagine and hope to see you again in heaven someday. Love You!!!!
I wish my words were added earlier, but I just heard the tragic news of Coach Howe’s passing today (April 29th). Regardless, to give small tribute regarding such an amazing man is the least I can do. Coach Howe lived life – soaked it up to the max. I still look back with joy at my three years of running cross country at Bonner Springs (even though I was a horrible runner), and much of my joy in those times comes from having him as my coach and friend. He was a great man. My prayers are with his family, Nathan Hylton (aka ‘Porkchop’) Bonner Springs class of ’96
We are going to have a candle light vigil Friday night April 11th @ 8:00 @ the Bonner Springs High School. Please join us as we remember the life of Mike Howe, our dear friend, coach, & teacher.
Dear Howe family, I pray that God will comfort you in your time of sorrow. Our Heavenly Father promises to never give us more than we can handle. I would encourage you to seek Him as your source of strength to rise above this tragedy. Remember the good times, there are so many! I will remember Coach Howe’s determination to have each student and athlete realize their own potential. His heart was mighty. His door and home were always open. Kids, you are the apple of his eye. I can’t tell you how many times I’d run into Coach and he would tell story after story about what each of you had accomplished since the last time I had seen you or heard from Coach. In time, be brave, move forward, and know your father is so proud of you. Mike is still running beside us…without any pain:)
Cathy – I am so deeply saddened by the loss of your brother. There are NO words strong enough to say how sorry I am for you and your family. May the Lord be with you at this tragic time and remember that He is with you. Michael’s memories will be with you forever so he is never really gone only absent from this world you and I share. You have been a fabulous friend and I can only grieve for your sorrow and maybe some day the pain will be a little easier and your love for God will carry you through this all. You and your family are in my prayers and I am here for you if you need a friend. You can call on me any time. My home phone is 788-1334 and my cell is 258-1979. God Bless You and may you never experience this great a tragedy again. Your friend, coworker, buddy and cohert in all things good. Luv ya, Julie Hargis
I first meet Mike when I went to pick up my son, Justin, from junior high track practice. I was walking up to the track and I saw Justin upside down in the air holding on to a pole vault pole that looked like it hadn’t been used since 1960. I asked Mike what he was doing with my son. ‘Don’t worry he said, we are going to resurrect pole vault at Bonner Springs.’ True to Mike’s word things went well and track became Justin’s passion and Mike a close friend of our family. My family and I extend our deepest sympathy to Mike’s family and friends. My all your memories bring you comfort and a smile.
You have suffered such a tragic loss, no words are adequate at a time like this. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
To all of Mike’s family and friends: We haven’t ceased to wish, with every day, that Mike’s tragic loss isn’t real. We had the pleasure of enjoying Mike’s company times through his friend, Todd Brunner, our brother in law. We have ached for each of you and send our prayers and deepest condolences. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Ps 34:18).
Coach Mike had a way of words that could make anyone laugh. I spend one year with him at Friends Univ. Mike created an atmosphere that was warm and yet on the edge. I developed a friendship with coach that will never end. My thoughts and prayers are with Mike’s family and I will miss him.
Cathy, Linda, Larry and all family members of Michael. May God be with you all and ease the pain of your loss soon. The Howe family has been wonderful and a pleasure to be around. Tera and I have enjoyed working with the two of you and are very sad for you. You and all the family are in our prayers. God Bless!
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time of sorrow. ‘Keep your face to the sunshine and the shadows will fall behind you.’ Sincerely, Danny & Denise Temple Colorado (Kim Burke-Temple’s in-laws)
Mike has been my friend for many years. We met at Southwestern College. He was easy to like, fun to be around and interesting to talk to on many topics. At some point in college Mike picked up the nickname ‘Howebert’ and he’s been Howebert to me ever since. Howebert and I had many adventures together. Trips to the Oregon coast, canoe trip to Arkansas, several trips to Colorado. Howebert loved the mountains of Colorado. On a trip to Colorado a few years ago Howebert loaded up his motorcycle in the back of the truck and off we went. While I was hiking and doing some trail running Howebert was on his motorcycle cruising the mountain roads. He loved the movie Easy Rider. Howebert and I were really different from each other, He outgoing and always meeting someone new. I’m quiet and mostly keep to myself. Somehow we had a connection though and I will miss that dearly. He always kept in touch, a quick phone call or stop by and sit on the porch for awhile to catch up, I’ll miss that. To Jill, Susanna and the Kids, Mikes parents and family, I am truly sorry and my thoughts are with you all. Love you Howebert, gonna miss you.
Susanna – We are so sad about Mike and have been praying for you and the kids. Alan and I will be at the service on Saturday. Love you!! Beth (Herzet) Davis
Jill- I just wanted you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Mike sounds like a wonderful man. If there is anything that we can do for you or your family please let us know. My heart goes out to you, the children and your family. Mike is always with you.
I had the pleasure of meeting Michael just last week on a sales visit to Dodge City, its not often being in SW KS that we actually get to see any type of salesman, and him being a breathe of fresh air. We talked for a lenghty period about him and his family, whom he adored greatly. I then sent him off to Mariah Hills GC for a chance to sell some more products. My heart totally dropped when I read about his tragic accident. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those that were affected by his loss.
Linda and Larry, I justed learned of Mike’s passing today and I must admit that I am still in shock. I heard about this accident on the news here in Denver but did not make the connection. This morning I recieved an e-mail that informed me of this terrible tradegy. I wanted you both to know that Molly and I will be praying for your entire family and that you will be in our thoughts this weekend. You have always been great to me and as you know I have always referred to Linda as ‘mom’. I love you both very much and hope that you find peace during this very difficult time. God Bless! Rob Cohen
Coach Howe and I had quite an up-and-down coach-athlete relationship. Our personalities were so alike that we often disagreed, clashed, and argued. But I think that through all of it, we both maintained a reluctant respect for one another; I for his coaching, he for my athletic ability, and each other for who we were. Thankfully, years later, after he was no longer my coach and I was no longer his athlete, we made our peace. And for that, I will forever be thankful. In the song, ‘Living Years,’ the lyrics say, ‘Its too late when we die to admit we dont see eye-to-eye.’ These words could not be more true of my thoughts and feelings. As a freshman in college, I attended Emporia State University on a Track & Field scholarship. However, during the spring track season, I planned to transfer to Friends University to run Track and Cross Country there instead. Coach Howe, the Friends University head track coach, was very pleased at my inquiry and immediately asked to meet me. We toured the Friends University campus and I made my decision to transfer there the following year. Coach Howe and I bonded almost immediately. My first two seasons with Coach Howe were incredibly fun and beneficial. I worked in his office that first year and we grew very close. He taught me a lot about life that year. As we qualified for the National Track Meet the following year, Coach Howe, myself, and my teammates all grew into a very family-like group; something of which Coach Howe was pleased and proud to be a part. The third year, my relationship with Coach Howe began to slowly deteriorate. I think we both began to see that the reason we started to have difficulties with each other was simply because we were so much alike. Ironically enough, years later, when I was a coach, I found myself modeling my own style of coaching after his. As time passed, our disagreements grew in magnitude until we reached the point that we barely spoke. I quietly finished my college track career and moved on. Several years later, I was coaching at a Cross County meet, coaching at the high school from which I graduated. Coach Howe happened to be in attendance and we briefly spoke. We exchanged pleasantries as two acquaintances that had not seen each other in a significant amount of time, and as I was working to help facilitate the organization of the meet, I looked at him and said, ‘This whole coaching thing is harder than it looks. You really gain a lot of respect for people who do this when you have to do it yourself.’ He smiled, looked at me, and replied, ‘Thanks, Kurt. I really appreciate that.’ We made eye-contact for a brief moment, as if, for the both of us, that exchange of appreciation was our olive branch, and we had finally made our peace after all those years. It was a look of mutual respect and forgiveness. That was the last time we spoke. In retrospect, I have come to realize that he taught me so much. We as human beings learn more from our struggles than we do from our successes. As I struggled through the end of my college track career, I learned a lot about life, people, and myself. And I credit many of those lessons to Coach Howe. He taught me more than I think he ever knew he did. But as the song goes, ‘I just wish I could have told him in the living years.’
To: Larry Howe and Mike’s entire family. The Carter family sends you all our thoughts and prayers. We are heart-broken about your loss and pray for God to comfort you as only He can. Scott Carter – Estes Park, CO The Bill Carter Family – Wichita
Linda, Cathy, and Larry. I am so sorry for the loss of Michael. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but with all the things I have come to love about the three of you I am sure I would cared about him just as much. May God comfort your hearts in this time of loss and I will pray for you and your entire family as well as along with your family. I will see you all soon. Your Friend – Love Diane
Jill and Family, I wish I knew something to say or do that would make this easier for you…… Some seem to have more than their share of trials and heartache….I am just so, so sorry! Know that you have so many people that care about you and your family and that our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time! Hugs! Love, Leslie and Family
This is such a sad time for all who knew Coach. He touched a lot of lives on the Friends Campus and I’m sure throughout his classrooms. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and especially his children.
I knew Mike well as a great friend, fiercely loyal, spirited, humorous, and just plain fun. He was always ready for a round of golf, trip to Colorado, discussing running/training, and his favorite–providing landscaping/lawn tips. He was very well versed on a number of subjects, and would share his knowledge with others. He was so proud of his three children and would take time to update me on their activities and school. Mike loved the outdoors and making people laugh. He ‘never met a stranger’ with his love for life. I will miss our conversations during rounds of golf, we seemed to tell stories better than we could ever golf. See you on the back nine buddy. I will miss you. Dennis Regan
Dearest Jill and family, I am so sorry for your loss. It is hard to believe what life throws at us. It is even harder to imagine that we are supposed to continue living when everything else is in turmoil. Though the journey is hard we must continue on because our journey is not done we have not achieved all our greatness. You must hold onto your memories and cherish the past but still continue forward without losing yourself in the turmoil. I only met Mike a few times, when he got engaged to Jill and at their wedding. When you met him you could tell he was a kind man and will be missed by all who crossed his path. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time now and forever. God Bless you and Hugs to all, Love Julie
Mike embodied a spirit that could inspire anyone that he met. His passion for life was so apparent and contagious that it was impossible to ignore. Mike has touched a lot of hearts in his lifetime and will be missed greatly by all of us. I was fortunate enough to know Mike on many different levels, and no matter what stage our relationship was in, I knew I could always count on him. He was such a proud father of his three children and in a very happy and fulfilling time of his life. Mike, I love you and will miss you.
Todd Brunner is our son-in-law; Javon Brunner, our daughter. Mike has been a guest in our home several times over the years, and we are so shocked and saddened by this tragedy. Our heart-felt sympathy and prayers are with the Howe family, Jill, and the children. Myrna and Don Murphy
I know how close the Tasset Family is and Mike’s passing will leave a tremedous void in their hearts. My prayers go out to Jill and all of the family in this terrible loss.
Jill, we are so sorry for your loss. Just wanted to let you know we are thinking of you and praying for your family.