Samuel Leo Howton, 88, of Albany died Tuesday at his home.
Leo was born in Palestine, Ark., to Samuel and Bertha (Jones) Howton.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was awarded two purple hearts.
Leo married Nora Anne Coffey on Aug. 17, 1946, in Phoenix.
His career with J.C. Penney led them back to Arkansas, to Portland in 1951 and finally to Santa Cruz, Calif., until his retirement in 1986 when they came to Albany.
Leo enjoyed golfing, playing cards and doing yard work.
He is survived by daughters Margaret Zimmerman of Salem and Nancy Howton of Aumsville; sons Steven Howton of Salem, Dan Howton of Keizer and Tim Howton of Santa Cruz; sisters Lola Jean Massie and Connie Howton; and 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Nora in December of 2008.
A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, at AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home with a graveside to follow at Willamette Memorial Park in Albany with military honors.