Howard Redmon, 85, passed away at his home in Springfield, Missouri, Aug. 4, 2024. He was with his family when he suffered a cardiac event while on hospice for metastatic cancer.
Howard was born in Fairfax, Missouri Oct. 5, 1938. He grew up in Houston, Missouri, the second of six children. He graduated from Houston High School and was a proud member of the class of 1957. Howard earned a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology from Southwest Missouri State University in 1962. He then joined the U.S. Navy to become a pilot. Howard served from 1962 to 1982 and obtained the rank of commander. He served in the Vietnam War and flew the P-2 Neptune and P-3 Orion performing anti-submarine operations.
Howard met his wife Dr. Conchita de Castro while stationed in Hawaii, and they were married for 49 years. Upon Howard’s retirement from the Navy, they settled in Springfield, Missouri. He supported Conchita as she opened a medical practice in Nixa, and later moved to Mercy Health. Howard was the family chef, driver, builder, landscaper and coordinator. He loved carpentry, planting trees and working on his tractor. Howard helped build their family home and also built a lake house from the foundation up with his siblings. His family still meets there today to fellowship, debate politics and play friendly games of Rook.
Howard loved his church family at South Haven Baptist Church, and served as deacon, Sunday School teacher and bass singer in the choir. Howard and Conchita were involved in the Filipino American Association of Southwest Missouri; he was proud to serve as president for a term. He was a kind and generous man with deeply held beliefs who supported many religious, political and community organizations.
Howard was the caregiver for his wife after her stroke in 2020. In his last days, he was sustained by the visits and prayers of his friends and family, singing hymns and watching Cardinals baseball games. He is greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife, Conchita; three children and their spouses, Mara and Scott Higdon, Shannah Redmon and Phil Dudas, and Phil Redmon and Carolyn Orbann; 10 grandchildren, Fox, Charlie, Penny, Helen, Walter, Ruben, Henry, Beatrice, Jackson and George; three brothers and spouses, Carl and Joyce, Dennis and Debbie, and Ed and Kathy Redmon; his sister and brother-in-law, Anita and Jerry Hood, and many beloved nieces and nephews and their families. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Walter and Charlene Redmon; and his sister, Donna Lawson.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30 at South Haven Baptist Church in Springfield. Visitation is prior to the service, from 10 to 11 a.m. Warriors’ Watch Riders will escort the funeral procession to Hazelwood Cemetery where Howard will receive full military honors. Dress casual or wear Cardinals or Chiefs gear, Howard’s favorite teams.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Ozarks Food Harvest or Springfield Botanical Gardens in Howard’s memory.
Care has been entrusted to Walnut Lawn Funeral Home, Ltd. DeGraffenreid-Wood Crematory.
PAID