George Howard

Some people live a successful life, even with a rough beginning. George Howard was one of those people. He worked his way up through the ranks at the bowling alley, to become a national bowling champion with an average of over 200. He was elected to the American Bowling Congress Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. More importantly, George was a loving father and devoted grandfather, who saw family life as a sacrament.

Born on February 1, 1930 in Bridgeport, Alabama to Hollis and Mary (Campbell) Howard, George was the fifth of six children. Tragically, Hollis died when George was only four years old. Life during the Great Depression was difficult, but it was especially difficult for a family without a father. Mary worked hard to raise George, along with his siblings, Adeline, Ruby, Lena, Wilma, William and Benjamin "Mickey". After living in Tennessee for a while, Mary moved the family up to Kalamazoo, where the eldest child, Adeline was living. This move took place while George was a teenager, and it wasn’t long before tragedy struck again. At the age of fifteen, George lost his mother to tuberculosis. George went to live with his older sister, Adeline and started attending Kalamazoo Central High School.

George didn’t graduate, since he had to leave during his senior year, in order to help support the family. He found employment at the Kalamazoo Stove Company. When he wasn’t working, George could be found playing baseball and boxing. He was an exceptional athlete and was the golden gloves champion in the Bantam weight in 1950.

At this time, George’s life took on a new direction. He had found a job as a pin setter at the Bowl-O-Drome when he was eighteen. He worked his way up through the ranks, from pin setter, to soda person and eventually to manager. More importantly, he met Walt Jasiak, a man who became a father figure and mentor to George. Walt guided and coached George. Under Walt’s tutelage, George saw his bowling average rise to over 200! He eventually became a professional bowler and joined the Stroh’s Bowling Team and the Detroit Thunderbirds. Later, George became a member of the PBA bowling tour and traveled all over the country, bowling in tournaments and even appeared on T.V. several times! In his career he bowled five 300 games and four 299 games! At the pinnacle of his career in 1986, he was elected to the American Bowling Congress Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. He was also a member of the Kalamazoo, Detroit, and Michigan Halls of Fame.

Unfortunately, George’s bowling passion had taken a toll on his personal life. George had met a young lady named Dolores Nowaczyk and in 1956 they were married. They brought three beautiful children into the world: Brenda, Georgette and Gregory. Their marriage ended in divorce.

Luckily, George had a second chance at love. One day, while bowling at Sunset Lanes, he met a pretty lady named Mary Piechocki. Mary also had a second chance at love, and after a short period of dating, they were married on December 14, 1968. Mary brought four children of her own to the marriage: Linda, Sandy, Bill and Carol. George became an important father figure in their lives.

Eventually, George slowed down on the bowling circuit, in order to spend more time with his children and to be more available at home. He still remained active in the local bowling scene of Kalamazoo and worked at Sunset Lanes until it closed. He then went on to work for Airway Lanes in Portage. This was the perfect job for George, since he could combine his love of bowling, with his love of people. George was a character who enjoyed talking and joking, always having something nice to say to others. Even though he was small in stature (5’8 1/2” and 112 lbs.), George believed in pursuing dreams and encouraged others to do the same.

After George’s semi-retirement, he and Mary had more time for family. He looked forward to their annual vacation in Pompano Beach, Florida, where they would catch up on the year with family and friends. They reveled in their role as grandparents, as well, when their ten grandchildren arrived. George also looked forward to the semi-annual Howard family reunions, where he could catch up on family news and cherish the time with loved ones. George and Mary also had more time to become involved in their parish, St. Catherine of Siena.

George had a passion for golf. When he wasn't on the golf course, George enjoyed “tinkering” in the garden, planting and enjoying the nature in his backyard. George also enjoyed spectator sports, especially while watching his grandchildren participate.

George was the kind of man his family could depend on. Not only did he help his family when he was a young man, he also was there for his children later on. George was a father and grandfather who loved his family dearly. His philosophy in life was “to never look forward with fear, or back with regret”. George greatly influenced others on the lanes and in life. He will be missed by all who were blessed to know and love him.

George Howard, age 78, of Portage, died on Sunday, January 25, 2009 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.

Learn more about George, view his Life Story film, and visit with his family and friends and share light refreshments, Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. and Thursday from 2-8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Portage, 5975 Lovers Lane (344-5600). A Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 pm on Thursday. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church.

Members of his family include his wife Mary, children: Brenda (Will) Hamiln, Georgette (Dave) Hall, Gregory (Jo Ann) Howard, Linda Piechocki, Sandy (Steve) Yonker, Bill (Colleen) Piechocki and Carol Chaney, 10 grandchildren and a brother William (Nikki). He was preceded in death by a grandchild and 2 brothers and 4 sisters.

Please visit George’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo, sign his memory book online before coming to the funeral home or make a memorial donation to a fund to establish a Youth Bowling Scholarship or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.