Obituary of Thomas Frederick Howard

Thomas Frederick Howard (59) resident of Santa, Idaho passed away on June 3, 2016. Tom was born August 26, 1956 to Joseph E. and Shirley A. (Barker) Howard at Wheeler, Oregon. He grew up at Cape Pole AK, Seaside OR, and Morgan Hill CA. Tom Enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1974 and served as a cook where he was stationed in Italy. He was honorably discharged in 1976 and moved to Reno, NV where he married Virginia Cox. They moved to Ketchikan, AK to work in area logging camps and from there moved to Western Washington State, continuing work in the timber industry. He was divorced in 1983. On July 4. 1985, Tom married Ethelyn Raines in Marysville, WA. that created a family of 5 children. Moving to Arlington, WA a year later, he started his own business, Timber Tom’s Tree Service, to great success. The family moved to Kalispell, MT in 1992 and two years later moved to Laurel, MT where Tom was injured in an accident that forced him to leave work in the timber industry. Following his injury, Tom gave his life to the Lord and after attending classes in Laurel, pursued his call to the ministry. In 1999, after traveling, evangelizing and speaking to children at various locations, he and Ethelyn moved to Fernwood, ID. The following year, they started Timberline Christian Assembly Church at the Santa Grange. In 2004 they established New Beginnings Full Gospel Church which met at the Shadowy River Mall in St. Maries, ID. They later moved the church to the building on the corner of 10th and Center Street. Health issues forced Tom to cut back and retire in 2006. As his health improved, Tom started the Faith Alive Fellowship Church in the CAF Building in Fernwood in 2014, serving one more year before again retiring. Tom enjoyed helping people, was always willing to give to a need and he ministered to each on a personal level. Tom was a member of the St. Maries Assembly of God Church. Tom is survived by his wife Ethelyn at the family home. Sons and daughters-in-law Jonathan and Irina Howard of Tacoma, WA, Todd and Christine Howard of Billings, MT and Aaron and Crystal Howard of Eugene, OR. Daughters Rebecca Howard of Darrington, WA, Evelyn Lohne of Springfield, OR, “daughter of the heart” Wylla Howard of Coeur d’ Alene, ID and granddaughter, whom Tom and Ethelyn are raising, Moira Robertson of Santa, ID. Also surviving are brothers Joseph E. Howard Jr of Seaside, OR and James and JoAnn Larson of Calgary, Alberta and sisters JoAnne and Ralph Castro of Seaside, OR and Jackie Bryant of Post Falls, ID, 17 grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Merna Melson. A Graveside Service is planned for Wednesday June 8, 2016 10:00 AM at Riverside Cemetery in Santa, ID. A Memorial Service will follow June 8, 2016 11:00 AM at the St. Maries Assembly of God Church. A gathering of family and friends will be after the service at the church.