John Seymour Howe, also known as "Jack Howe," passed away after a long illness.
Jack was born in Albany to John and Lena Howe. He attended Albany Union High School. He was a resident of Albany all of his life.
He was a World War II veteran. He was wounded in the Pacific Islands and was awarded the Purple Heart. He had some stories of the war that he would share with friends and family.
He retired after many years of working at the Bureau of Mines in Albany where he was a metallurgist. He contributed many new ideas and methods, and obtained many patents.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lena Howe; and brother Roger Lee Howe.
He is survived by his wife, Esther Helen Howe, to whom he was married to for 68 years. He is also survived by his two daughters, Marjorie McEachron and Cheryl Doan; three grandchildren, Heather Doan, Kyle Doan and Andrew McEachron; and four great-grandchildren, Leah Doan, Alyssa Thacker, Matix Doan and Brooklyn Rodriguez.
Jack had a green thumb and could make anything grow. He loved working in his yard planting trees, flowers, shrubbery, and making gardens, pathways, ponds and fountains. People would come to Jack and ask him how he kept his lawn so green and beautiful and would ask him how to grow things that they were unable to grow. He was a Master Gardner.
Jack was a very hard worker and wonderful provider for his family. He will be greatly missed.
A service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Willamette Memorial Park, 2640 Old Salem Road N.E., Albany.
AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling arrangements.