Brown Grattan Howard, III

Brown Grattan Howard, III, 82 of Floyd, passed away on Friday, August 2, 2013. After graduating from V.P.I. in 1952, he entered pilot training with the United States Air Force. He remained in the USAF flying first line jet fighters until his retirement in the rank of Colonel in 1974, being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal w/9 Oak Leaf Clusters and several additional Medals for service in Korea and Vietnam. An active 32nd Degree Mason of Floyd Lodge #329 and Lakeland #190 A.F. & A.M., he also served as an elder in the Presbyterian Church of Floyd. He is the son of the late Brown Grattan Howard, Jr. and Alice Smith Howard, and is also preceded in death by his sister, Katherine Howard Spyhalski; and brother, William Joseph Howard.

He is survived by his wife, Celia “Betty” Howard; two sons & daughters-in-law, Brown G. Howard IV and Susan, Michael Howard and Kristina; two grandchildren, Jason Howard, David Howard & wife Jennifer; one great-granddaughter, Hannah Howard; three sisters-in-law; and two brothers-in-law.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at the Presbyterian Church of Floyd with Rev. Michael Nelms officiating. Interment to follow in the Jacksonville Cemetery with Military Rites by Seymour Johnson AFB Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, August 5, 2013 at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with a Masonic Service by Floyd Lodge # 329 A.F. & A.M. beginning at 7:00 p.m.

The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of the Presbyterian Church of Floyd following the interment. Brown desired that any remembrances be directed to the Presbyterian Church of Floyd, P.O. Box 164, Floyd, VA 24091 or to the Floyd County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 257, Floyd, VA 24091.