Jesse Army Sr.

Jesse Donald Howard was born on a very cold and snowy night in Denver, Colorado, on February 10, 1933. He was born to Ernest and Jessie Naomi Howard. Jesse was youngest of two children; his older sister Mary Princess was his mother figure his entire life. From a very young age Jesse ‘J. Donald’ as he was fondly called learned and worked under his father’s tutelage in the family business ‘The Howard Hardware Store’, he became extremely proficient at making screens. As Jesse grew up he attended Whittier Elementary School, Cole Junior High and graduated from Manual High School. While at Manual he excelled in military precision drills, to such a degree that he and the team he led were invited to Washington, DC to perform. By this time, he had become a new uncle and his peers began calling him “Uncle Bud”, for the rest of his life he was fondly known as “Buddy”. At sixteen, J. Donald (Uncle Bud) tried to join the Army, his mother was not having her son go off to fight in Korea at such an early age. However, as soon as he graduated from high school he joined the army, along with his best friend. He was always a ‘soldiers’ soldier from basic training to Airborne Ranger Master Blaster. He started as an engineer and finish as a demolition special forces counter intelligence agent, promoted to rank (E8) 1SG. He received many accommodations to include the Bronze Star, he was a true war hero. 1SG Jesse D. Howard was stationed in numerous locations such as Germany, Lebanon, Korea, Panama, and served two tours of duty in Viet Nam. His stateside assignments included Ft. Campbell, Ft. Hood, Ft. Presidio, Ft. Bragg, Ft Huachuca, The Pentagon in Washington, DC, and his final assignment in Ft. Carson, Colorado. His deployments and assignments were many which proved to be difficult on his family, though he never wavered in his love and dedication to his family. In 1973 Jesse was join in marriage to JoAnne Frierson, from this union came his youngest child Jessica Rochelle, and together the couple raised JoAnne’s four older children and their adopted daughter Samantha. After retiring from the military in 1976, Jesse immediately went to work for the Denver Housing Authority, and then went on to worked as the Manager of Security for the Solar Energy Research Institute (now NREL). While working fulltime in the prior two positions he attended Metro State University, for Business Management. Later he moved onto work at Rocky Flats as their Internal Security Manager. In 1993 after being diagnosed with heart disease, and having a quadruple by bi-pass, it was discovered that due to Jesse’s exposure to agent-orange he would experience lifelong health issues. The doctor’s initial prognosis was the that he would not survive five more years. From then, Jesse would not be put down, he lived a long and full life for more than 25 years. Jesse lived a full life he enjoyed traveling in his motorhome, boating in his 28’ cruiser, fishing, hanging poolside, and vacationing on pleasure jazz and blues cruises, a highlight of his life. He loved to be surrounded by family and friends and looked forward to entertaining and opening his home to everyone. He appreciated volunteering at church outreaches and donating his time with the NAACP security team along with his close friends Carrie and Charles Gayles. He gave untold hours for over 10 years at many conventions. He was even recognized for all his deeds and life contributions as a “Living Legend.” Jesse is survived by his dedicated wife of more than 44 years and their daughter Jessica Brokos (Daniel), his older children Steffi Howard, Jesse “Jay” Howard, Jr. (Kimberly), Ernest Howard, Anthony Howard, Kimberley Hooks (Greg), Dr. Ronald Frierson (Rev. Pamela), Sherri DeShay (Darren), Jamie McDaniel (Paul), Samantha Dennard (Cedric), his beloved Sister Mary Edmonson, and Nephew Lloyd Pugh and preceded in death by Dempsey Pugh and Opalanga Pugh. He was loved by all and was blessed to have 21 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, with 2 on the way. Brittany McFarland (Chris), Carrington Dale (Angela), Desiree Frierson, Lauren DeShay, David DeShay, Rondah Zelike (Ismael), Jazmyn Dennard, Dylan Langhoff, Gabrielle Dennard, Jade Howard, Maddison Langhoff, Parker Langhoff, Ron Khi-Lei Frierson, Wayne Zah-Khi Frierson, Ivry Wright, Aspen Wright, Rhonda Benson (Elliott), Jessica Howard, Kimbra Howard. As well as, many beloved family and friends. Now he is in the arms of the Lord. He is an example of a life well lived.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell - 843 West 100th Place Northglenn, Colorado
Visitation: 3/19/2018 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 3/20/2018 at 11:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 3/20/2018 at 2:15:00 PM Staging Area C Ft. Logan National Cemetery - 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO
Family Gathering: 3/20/2018 - Pipkin Braswell - 843 West 100th Place Northglenn, Colorado