Funeral services for Mr. Alton Hardy Howard, 81, of West Monroe, LA, will be at 1:00PM October 31, 2006, at the Whites Ferry Road Church of Christ. Officiating will be Carl Allison, Jim Moran, Bill Smith, and Stan Webb. Visitation will be at 6:00PM October 30, 2006 at the church. Interment will be at the Rocky Branch Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home. Officiating will be Mike Kellett and Alan Robertson.

Mr. Alton Howard was born on March 28, 1925 and passed away on October 29, 2006. He was preceded in death by his parents Hardy and Corrine Howard and brothers, V.E. Howard, W.L. (Jack) Howard, Kelton Howard, and sisters, Euphra Terry, and Cassyle McMurry.

Survivors include his loving wife of 57 years, Jean Howard, his son, John Howard and his wife Chrys, and daughters, Mary Howard Owen and her husband Mac, and Janice Howard Owen and her husband David; grandchildren, Korie Robertson and her husband Willie, Ryan Howard and his wife Stephanie, Ashley Moore and her husband Josh, Heath Arthur and his wife Carmen, Cherry Owen Hudnall and her husband Josh, Callie Owen Washer and her husband Jacob, Jenna Owen, and John David Owen and fourteen great-grandchildren; John Luke, Sadie, Will, Bella, Macy, Ally, Maddox, Asa, Aslyn, Aevin, Caroline, Gannon, Jett and Owen.

Mr. Howard was an entrepreneur who spent his lifetime dedicated to making Northeast Louisiana a place everyone could be proud of. In 1946, he and his brother, W.L Howard founded Howard Bros. Jewelers. In 1959, they founded Howard Bros. Discount Stores and Mid-South Development Co. In 1969, he started Howard Publishing Co. and, along with his son, John, started, Super Saver Wholesale Warehouse Club in 1984.

In addition, in 1967 he blessed thousands of lives by opening Camp Ch-Yo-Ca, a Christian youth camp, which continued until the year 2004. He also developed several subdivisions and owned an insurance company, several restaurants, men's and ladies clothing stores, oil and gas operations, and a music business. An avid writer and musician, he wrote a number of books and gospel songs that are still sung today and have been recorded by various music artists. The hymnals he compiled have sold over 3 million copies and are the mainstay for many congregations all over the world.

He was a founding father of the White's Ferry Road Church of Christ and served as an elder there from 1963-2004, when his health no longer allowed him to serve in that capacity. His love for the work there continued until his last days when he wanted to know how the church was doing. Through the church, he was instrumental in beginning "World Radio", an international radio ministry which broadcasts the gospel of Jesus in native languages around the world.

He will be remembered by his family and friends as a faithful servant of God, a loyal and trusted employer, and an amazing, wonderful husband, father, and Papaw to his family. His legacy will live on in the many great works God began in him.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons and grandsons-in-law. Honorary pallbearers are Charles Bozeman, Elbert Cooper, Richard Covington, Harold Davis, Jimmy Davis, Corbet Gilbert, Jerry Madden, Rusty Pippins, Tommy Powell, Luther Shackelford, Harston Skinner, Marvin Steffins, Randy Stinson, Leon Telford, Lloyd Williams, and the White's Ferry Road elders.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to World Radio or the Whites Ferry Road Church of Christ.

Kilpatrick Funeral Home

Obituary published in the News Star

∼Alton Hardy Howard was a noted hymn composer, publisher and supporter of evangelism and Gospel preachers among the Churches of Christ for decades. He was one of the charter members of the White's Ferry Road Church of Christ in West Monroe, LA where he served as an elder and song leader for decades. He also led the way in beginning World Radio, the White's Ferry Road School of Biblical Studies and many other ministries that had a world-wide impact. His influence will continue for many generations to come..