Gary Howe Obituary

Howe
Gary Stanton
Howe
November 3, 1947
March 16, 2025

Gary Stanton Howe, 77, cherished and beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, Air Force officer, community and ski patrol volunteer, neighbor, and friend passed away March 16, 2025, of complications from Parkinson's and numerous surgeries. Born November 3, 1947, in Springfield, Massachusetts, Gary was the son of Marvi (Bacon) and Gil Howe (both deceased) and sister to Gail (Howe) Kibbe, of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts.
Gary's New England roots ran deep—summers at the lake, early mornings water skiing, and a love of boats that stayed with him throughout his life. He had a natural curiosity and willingness to embrace new experiences, as well as a quiet confidence that propelled him forward. When Gary considered the military after high school, his counselor encouraged him to apply to the Air Force Academy. At 17, he stepped off the plane in Colorado Springs, saw the mountains rising in the distance, and knew Colorado would be a forever home.
Graduating with the Class of 1969, Gary embarked on his Air Force career as a Personnel Officer, a role that suited his natural ability to connect with and care for others. Although his organizational skills and attention to detail were unparalleled, his real gift was a deep-seated instinct for fostering camaraderie and building a sense of belonging. He was a conversationalist at heart, always eager to hear people's stories, not just about their careers but also about their lives and families. In this way, he and the Air Force were a perfect match: the Air Force introduced him to diverse landscapes, traditions, and people, while Gary ensured that the people within its ranks were well cared for and treated dignity.
When stationed in Panama City, where his sons Trevor and Travis were born, Gary fully embraced the culture and history of his surroundings. He immersed himself in the country, taking every chance to explore and understand the significance of the Panama Canal to the region and local communities. His sense of adventure knew no bounds—he once drove from Panama City to Texas, not for convenience, but for the thrill of seeing the jungle and connecting with the people along the way. Later, while stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, he and his then wife, Jane Howe, ensured their boys experienced the richness of different places—traveling from Scotland to Egypt, embracing new customs and cuisines, and treating every journey as an opportunity to learn.
From Germany, Gary's next assignment was a return to the Air Force Academy, the place he dearly loved and where he served his final 8 years on active duty. When he retired on January 31, 1993, he marked the occasion in true Gary fashion—by proposing to Margo McCoy at the end of the ceremony. From that day forward, life took on a new and wonderful rhythm.
Gary and Margo married on August 14, 1993, and built a life filled with love, curiosity, and adventure. They blended and then expanded their family to include cadets they sponsored and friends they made through travels and work. To Gary and Margo, friendships are more than just relationships—they are extended family, nurtured with love, laughter, and woven into the fabric of their lives.
In 1995, after earning a master's degree in public policy at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Gary served the Association of Graduates at the Air Force Academy as President and Chief Executive Officer. He worked tirelessly to support each graduating class, forge stronger ties among cadets and alumni, and champion a culture of inclusion and respect. His creativity and humor were legendary—he could turn a dry administrative meeting into a musical number and make a room erupt in laughter with a well-timed finger puppet performance. At his core, Gary was about relationships. His loyalty to his 1969 Classmates and Squadrons 03 and 14 never wavered. Whether through in-person reunions or Zoom calls, he made sure their connection remained strong.
In 2006 Gary was diagnosed with Parkinson's and faced it the way he faced everything else—with humor, grit, and a determination to enjoy life for as long as he could. He enjoyed hours woodworking, crafting clever birdhouses, and trying (with mixed success) to outwit the squirrels. Through Parkinson's Wellness Recovery programs, Gary participated in targeted exercise, including boxing. He explored the world with Margo, walked the neighborhood with friends and caregivers, and never stopped finding joy in the little things—especially if they involved spirited conversation, a good meal, or time with Margo.
Gary had a way of making the world brighter. He had a gift for bringing people together, for infusing curiosity and a wicked sense of humor into every conversation, and for letting people know they mattered to him. He was warm, kind, principled, humble, and tough as nails—the man who showed up, paid attention, and kept traditions alive.
Over the past five years, his health challenges grew significant and daunting. One of his classmates wrote "I never heard Gary complain. He was always forward looking. I would see him at lunches and being around him was uplifting. We were all very proud to be his classmates."
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Margo McCoy Howe, his sons Trevor Howe (CA) and Travis Howe (Mario Nievera) (NY), Margo's daughters Amy McCoy (Jessica Kranz) (CO) and Angie Alley (Morgan Alley) (NM), and his sister and brother-in-law Gail and Marty Kibbe (MA).
The family extends their appreciation to Age Well Medical; the physicians, nurses, and staff at St. Francis Hospital 6 East; the nurses and staff at Brookdale Skilled Care; and especially to Cindy and Yvonne, Gary's trusted long-time caregivers.
A burial service will be held at 10:00am on March 27, 2025, at the U.S. Air Force Academy Cemetery, Colorado Springs, Colorado. A memorial service will follow at 1:00pm at First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, Colorado. A reception will be held in the courtyard following the service. In lieu of flowers, his family suggests memorial donations to The Long Blue Line Endowment or The Parkinson's Foundation (parkinson.org).
Gary is missed beyond words. His humble and gracious spirit lives on in his family, his stories, and the friendships he nurtured.