Jesse Lee Howard, age 79, of Wibaux, Montana passed away Monday, February 22, 2016 at his home. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, February 26, 2016 at the Wibaux County Fairgrounds with Reverend Larry Phalen officiating. Silha Funeral Home of Wibaux has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Jess was born on October 3, 1936 in Merced, California to Edmund and Violette (Jones) Howard. After growing up and graduating in California, he joined the Army before he turned eighteen and spent the next two years stationed in Hawaii.
Jess worked odd jobs and rodeoed with many great friends, including his brother Pat, over the next several years. Somehow he made his way to Montana, where he met and later married Judy Austby on June 8, 1963. Their son Jeff was born the following year in July and Jess liked to joke that they “were married in June and Jeff was born in July”.
In 1970, Jess became the NRCA Championship Saddle Bronc Rider, winning a saddle and his favorite buckle. In 1971, his daughter Jody was born and Jess began an almost thirty five year horseshoeing career. In 1975, they moved to Fallon, Nevada where he shod horses and drove Judy, Jeff and Jody to many, many rodeos, team roping’s and barrel races! He especially appreciated the cowboy church services and friendships created during the high school rodeos. Jess lived and gathered friends in California, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, New Mexico and Nevada over the years.
In 1994, Jess and Judy moved closer to family in Montana and North Dakota. Jess began to overcome his lifelong stage fright in order to share his cowboy poetry, singing and guitar skills. Many more great friendships were created during these travels and gatherings.
Jess is now drinking coffee and visiting with many friends in Heaven. He was fond of saying he was “down to just two sins, but one of them was lying”!
Jess was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund and Violette and one brother.
Jess is survived by his wife, Judy Howard of Wibaux; his daughter, Jody (Rocky) Burman of Miles City, Montana; his son, Jeff (DeAnn) Howard of Malta, Montana; five grandchildren, Raelynn Howard, Kaycee Howard, Kayla Howard, Jesse Burman and Jamie Burman; two sisters and two brothers.