Howard was born October 16, 1925 in Nevada, Texas to Clemmie Jane Beene and Jesse James Morris.  He passed from this life on December 25, 2014 in his home in Nocona, Texas.  Howard was drafted into the Navy after high school.  He served on the USS Marvin H. McIntyre as a pharmacist mate.  He was helping the wounded soldiers during wartime and transferring them back to a base hospital.  He served his country with honor.  Before being shipped off he married Reba F. Glass and together they raised four children and enjoyed 53 years together before Reba passed from cancer.  Howard was a funeral director and embalmer for 56 years, starting his career at Owens and Brumley Funeral home.  He also worked for Hampton Vaughn in Wichita Falls, moving his family to Nocona in 1950 when he started working for the Scott Brothers who had two funeral homes, one in Nocona and one in Saint Jo as well as a hardware store.  He was offered a partnership in 1971 and when Mr. W. L. Scott passed away in 1985 he became a full owner.  In 2004 Howard retired.  During his work in Nocona he was very active in his church at First Baptist.  He served as past President of the Lions Club where he received his 65 year award.  He has served on the Nocona Chamber of Commerce and was President in 1969.  He received the Citizen of the Year Award from the Chamber in 2004. He was a member of the American Legion and served as Chaplin.  

Howard is survived by his children, Jane Goss, James Morris, John Morris and his wife Kim,  Eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and Helen Ferguson his companion and loving friend as well as many extended family and friends.  

Howard was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Reba in 1998, and daughter Judy Clark in 1997.  

A visitation will be at the funeral home Sunday evening December 28, from 5-7 with funeral service on Monday December 29, at 2PM at the First Baptist Church in Nocona with Dave Woodbury officiating.  

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church building fund, Lions Club, and Hospice.  

Funeral is under the direction of Scott-Morris Funeral Home