Dr. C. E. Howard

Dr. C. Edward “Ed” Howard, 90, of Lillington, passed away on Monday, August 12, 2019.

Born May 31, 1929 in Sampson County to the late Hubert and Irene Britt Howard, Ed grew up in Clinton and graduated high school there.  He went on to Campbell College where he earned his Associates Degree before continuing to Duke University where he graduated with his Bachelor’s in Geology.  He got his Master of Science in Geological Engineering from NC State University before completing his PhD. in Geology from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

Ed was staff geologist for Hamme Tungsten Mine in Vance County, NC.  In 1963, he was asked to teach a geology course at Campbell; from this he was able to develop a geology department with facilities and staff and had students graduating with a degree in Geology by 1967.  He was chairman of the department until 1976 when he left Campbell to do consulting work and to teach geology courses at NC State University.

In the early eighties, he served as Director of State of NC Division of Soil and Water Conservation.  Afterwards, he began working with Center for Environmental Measurements in Research Triangle Institute in RTP.  He became head of the department, with his staffs working contracts to support the EPA and other government agencies.  Most of his work involved asbestos and radon measurement programs.  He retired from RTI in 1994.

He was an avid photographer; he loved listening to and playing music.  He could play both the guitar and piano by ear.  Above all, Ed was a student of life who always had an open mind to learning about everything.  Education, both learning and teaching, were his passions and drives in life.  He was the light of our lives, our “Poppy”.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2019 at 4 pm at Lillington Presbyterian Church.  The burial will follow at Westview Cemetery.

Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Anne Barker Howard; and son, Bradley Sizemore.

He is survived by his daughters, Wendy Howard and Pamela Sizemore Grissom and  fiancé, Martin Ausley; three grandsons, Zane Sizemore and fiancé, Daniela Jimenez, Dylan Grissom and fiancé, Amanda Jordan and Timothy Grissom.

The family will receive friends prior to the service on Saturday, August 24th  from 3 to 3:45 in the church’s Fellowship Hall.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. C. E. Howard, please visit our floral store.