Howard Todd

Howard G. Todd, age 86, of Bluebell, passed away of natural causes Wednesday, February 3, 2016, in Roosevelt. He was born March 23, 1929, in Wilson, Utah (later renamed Ballard), to William Russel and Fannie (Gagon) Todd. Growing up he worked on the family farm, learned carpentry skills from his father, survived a lightning strike, and graduated from Alterra LDS Seminary and Alterra High School.
Howard played six-man football in high school, and was known as "Longshot" on the basketball court playing guard, forward, and center. He was named to the Uintah Basin all-star basketball team in 1947. He also played second base on the Bennett baseball team with his brothers Keith and Max.
After high school, Howard attended Weber Junior College on a basketball scholarship where his playing aspirations were cut short by a knee injury. Howard served a mission for the LDS Church in the Northern California Mission from 1950 to 1952 serving in the Eureka, Arcata, Fortuna, and Grass Valley areas. He was able to play for a time on the LDS basketball team in the Eureka Recreation Basketball League as part of his missionary service.
After his mission, Howard attended Utah State University where he made life-long friends while staying in the "priesthood room" at the McCallson Boarding House. Howard met Maxine Winkler on a double date at the Ravola Dugway at a summer dance in 1952. They were sealed in the Logan Utah Temple on September 17, 1953. He graduated from Utah State University in 1954 with a degree in Sociology, and served in Korea in the 24th Infantry Division, 24th Quartermaster Corps from 1954 to 1956 achieving the rank of 1st Lieutenant before being honorably discharged.
Howard's professional career was in education as a teacher and then principal at the Altamont Elementary School from 1957 to 1987. He valued his many associations with the students (and parents) who attended the school. "Howeird", as he came to be known, missed the interactions he had with the staff, teachers, and superintendents after he retired from Altamont Elementary.
Besides his work at the elementary, Howard worked on the family ranch in Bluebell. The ranch provided opportunities for his children and grandchildren to learn how to work. "Inspiration Point" and "The Swing" at the ranch became special places to him because of being able to spend time there with his children and grandchildren. He also took time to take his children camping, fishing, and hunting with Yellowstone Canyon becoming a special place for the family to visit.
With the knowledge he gained from working with his father, he built the Todd home in Bluebell and passed much of that knowledge to his children as they built their own homes and did repairs. The Todd home was a special place for his grandchildren to visit with trees to climb, a sand pile to dig in, open space to roam, and love to be felt. He was a terrible tease!
Family was important to Howard. He had no one favorite child, grandchild, niece, or nephew. However, he had a knack to make them feel like he was their favorite. Whatever their interests, sports, academics, arts, music, dance, etc., he made an effort to follow how they were doing and to attend their activities and events as often as he could. Additionally, Howard was very cognizant of his parents, siblings, and siblings-in-law and would make an effort to visit them often, either in person or on the phone.
Because the gospel of Jesus Christ and family was important to him, Howard would attend as many family church events as was possible, such as baby blessings, baptisms, priesthood ordinations, missionary farewells or homecomings, even when there was some distance to travel.
Howard loved his Savior, Jesus Christ. He treasured the opportunities he had to serve in the LDS Church in various capacities like home teacher, elder's quorum president, bishop, stake presidency counselor, stake president, patriarch, Sunday school teacher, ordinance worker in the Provo Utah Temple and sealer in the Vernal Utah Temple. Howard cherished the opportunity he had to serve with Maxine as temple president and matron of the Vernal Utah Temple from 2002 to 2005 with it being the capstone of their lives.
Howard loved the many individuals with whom he served, especially his bishopric, stake presidency, and temple presidency counselors and temple sealers and recorders. He liked the chance he had to meet new people and to interact with friends as he served in these capacities. Being able to give some of his grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends patriarchal blessings as well as perform some of their weddings or sealings or participate in their funeral services were extra-special experiences for Howard.
Maxine was essential in Howard's life and was always by his side as he achieved all he accomplished. He could not have done what he did without her faithful and loving support. She buoyed him up while he was in Korea, was an anchor to him as he grew in his career, and made it possible for him to serve in his many callings.
Howard is survived by his wife, Maxine; sons, Gregory (Betty), Roosevelt; Bruce (Carla), Roosevelt; Glenn (Jill), Saratoga Springs; Douglas (Michele), Lehi; Michael (Sue), Kaysville; Mark (Kristin), Layton; and Phillip (Brigitte), West Jordan; and daughter Stephanie Todd, Sparks, Nev.; 34 grandchildren, 8 grandchildren-in-law, and 8 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Joanne (Todd) McKenna and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Pat (Wills) Todd, Beth (Winkler) Duke, Udell and Ruth (Hoyt) Winkler, and Rush and ShanaLee (Winkler) Loertscher.
He has achieved the desired time when he can be with his parents and siblings Elaine, Norma, William, Nedra, Keith, Max, Mary Lou, Glen, Paul, and son Nathan. He was also preceded in death by his granddaughter Caressa (Bruce and Carla), grandson Dylan (Doug and Michele), parents-in-law Ulrich Bernard and Lucille (Merrell) Winkler and siblings-in-law P. Wendel Johnson, Farrell Mohlman, Chell (Gardner) Todd, Earl McKenna, Jim Duke, Pauline Winkler, and Chad Winkler.
The family wishes to express thanks to all those at The Villa who cared for Howard and many friends and family who took time to visit him while he was there. They also express appreciation to family and friends who have supported and transported Maxine during this difficult time.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 13, at 11 a.m., at the Altamont LDS Stake Center, 15600 W. 4000 N., Altamont, Utah. There will be a viewing on Friday, February 12 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 13 from 9:30-10:45 a.m. at the church.
Burial will be in the Bluebell Cemetery with military honors presented by the American Legion Post #53 and the Utah National Guard.