Bruce Howard

Bruce Laverne Howard passed away on October 20, 2022, following a valiant fight with cancer. His last days of 74 years young were at home surrounded by his loving family in Charlotte, NC until God called him and said suffer no more with such dignity and strength, come into peace beloved son with pride as your life was well done. Bruce was born on August 10, 1948, in Pontiac, MI, as the second child of Nancy Howard. He had six siblings as his first and lifelong friends. Family was everything to Bruce with an unswerving devotion to each one, allowing them to gather many priceless seeds he planted within them throughout his life. He was truly an example of what a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather (Papa), friend, neighbor, “MAN”; should be. It was in Michigan where he cultivated a love for all Sports and became a University of Michigan Super Fan. He built enduring additional friendships there that he continued as he moved to Colorado Springs, then Southern CA, the central coast, and lastly Charlotte. His best and longest friend, Eddie Pruitt, was the connection to his life partner, Cheryl, who he knew at a precious young school age and grew to love as a young adult. After graduating Pontiac Central High School, he went on to enlist in the Army where he served four years. He asked Cheryl to marry him and join him in Colorado Springs where they built a solid family life with their children, Tracie and Barry. They later moved to Pomona, CA where he worked in the oil refinery industry mostly with Chevron. After moving to CA, he continued his love of Sports, becoming an additional fan of the sensational Lakers Team. His family continued to grow with his daughter, Jocelyn, and son, Jamal. He worked many a graveyard and holiday shift to create a very good life for them, but he rarely missed his children’s events and often was involved as the main or assistant coach. Many were blessed to be coached by him in countless different ways as he nurtured a culture of accountability and being a man of your word. When Bruce retired from the oil industry, he moved to Charlotte with his wife, Cheryl, and son, Jamal. He then encouraged family to follow, starting with his grandson, Marcel, and then daughters, Jocelyn and Tracie, and grandson, Rigoberto. He started a new career at Lowe’s where “Reddmann” was created that had him all over Charlotte with handyman services. He continued to build lasting friendships with his new coworkers and customers, remaining a steadfast example of good living. Bruce knew his largest blessing in life was his beautiful, amazing, loving wife, Cheryl. When you say "my life partner", it rarely has the implication that comes from starting at your childhood, blossoming as you are stepping into adulthood, and lasting into your golden years. This was a love that truly shared life as they ran together well into their 50’s before they transitioned into walking. Bruce walked up to 5 miles a day into the last year of his life. They went to concerts, festivals, and games together, where they always had “Heap Big Fun”! He was fully aware and expressing his appreciation that Cheryl stayed by his side like a champion throughout his illness. Bruce was preceded in death by his mother, Nancy and by his brothers, Dwight and Dennis. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl, his brothers, Richard and Marvin, his sisters, Marilyn and Carol, his daughters, Tracie and Jocelyn, his sons, Barry (Ronielle) and Jamal, his Grandsons, Marcel (Norey), Micah, and Rigoberto, his great grandsons, Joel and Ashton, and countless nephews, nieces, and cousins. Celebration of Life will be on October 29, 2022, at 11am (viewing) and noon (funeral services) at the Greenville Memorial AME Zion in Charlotte, NC. Please send any flowers/donations to 8702 Highlands Ridge Ln, Charlotte, NC, 28216 or send donations in his name to the Autism Society. There will be a repast directly after the funeral at Wedgewood North Clubhouse located at: 8925 Babbit Way Charlotte, NC 28216