DOVE, Howard MacArthur, 52, of
Christiansburg, died Tuesday, November 1, 1994, at his home. He was born in
Montgomery County on August 9, 1942, and was preceded in death by his father,
John Howard Dove. Veteran of the Vietnam era serving as a Green beret. Howard
was a world reknowned master of firearms engraver, he was one of only two men in
the modern era to be employed in that capacity by the Custom Shops of both Colt
and Winchester at the same time. Especially appreciated for the quality of his
inlay work, Mr. Dove's clientele has included such luminaries as Gene Autry,
Sammy Davis Jr., Hank Williams Jr., John Wayne, Michael Wayne, Tom Sellick,
former Louisiana Governor Edmond W. Edwards and Prince Kalad, of India. Known as
the ``Official Engraver'' to the Colt Collectors Association, the Single Action
Army revolver he embellished for their 1992 meeting and gun show fetched the
highest price ever paid for a new non-commemorative firearm sold at auction. The
proceeds were to benefit the association. Howard's talents have contributed
immeasurably to the art and craft of engraving, the shooting sports and the gun
collecting fraternity. Howard is survived by his wife, Linda F. Dove; a son,
Anthony Scott Dove, Jupiter, Fla; two daughters and sons-in-law, Wendy and Doug
Roop, Christiansburg, Gidget Dove-Price and Joe Price, Blacksburg; five
grandchildren, Heather, Justin, Cheyanne, Matthew, Addison; his mother, Claudine
Dove, Blacksburg; two brothers and sister-in-law, Carl and Ellen Dove,
Blacksburg, Ronnie and Julie Dove, Pilot; a sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn
and Danny Meadows, Christiansburg; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services
will be Friday, November 4, 1994, at 2 p.m. at the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel,
Blacksburg, conducted by the Rev. Jimmy Kittinger and the Rev. Harold Taylor.
Interment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Christiansburg. In lieu of
flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Christiansburg Rescue Squad,
P.O. Box 176, Christiansburg, Virginia 24073. The family will receive friends
Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.

Roanoke
Times, Thursday, November 3, 1994
(Obit contributed by Barbara Chittum Hutchens)