Edward Johnson Howard
July 2, 1932 — November 2, 2022
Edward Johnson Howard, also known as "Ned", passed away peacefully at his home on November 2, 2022, at the age of 90.
Born in Far Rockaway, New York on July 2, 1932, to Bessie Cleveland Johnson and John Pearce Howard, Ned was the "baby" of the family, the youngest of six siblings, John, Bill, Dick, Virginia and MaryAnne along with half-sisters Catherine and Elizabeth.
As an infant, Ned's family moved to the DC metro area where he would spend the majority of his life. At the age of 17, Ned joined the United States Navy during the Korean War, proudly following in the footsteps of his older brothers who were all veterans of WWII. Ned would spend the next four years on a PT Boat as a Boatswain's Mate First Class sailing in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi River.
After his time in the Navy, Ned returned home to Maryland, spending the next several years delivering oil for Sinclair Oil Corp. After his time with Sinclair, Ned began working at the Chevy Chase Country Club, where unbeknownst to him, his life would take quite a turn. In 1982 at the age of 50, after spending much of his life as a bachelor, Ned would meet Rosa Espinoza, the woman who he would credit for changing his life for the better and keeping him healthy for many more years to come.
Ned and Rosa married 16 months after meeting, and much to their surprise had their one and only child, a daughter, Bessie Dawn (named after Ned's mother) born in May 1984. There's no playbook for being a first-time father at the age of 52, but their future as a family of three would encompass much laughter, a lot of singing, and a lot of shenanigans. Ned loved to spend time teaching his daughter how to fix cars, watching football on Sunday, sledding, and taking summer vacations in Rehoboth Beach. Also, in true Maryland fashion he loved nothing more than eating steamed Chesapeake Bay blue crabs.
When he finally retired from the Chevy Chase Club in his 80's, his daughter picked up and moved him and Rosa to live near her and her husband Michael in Jacksonville, Florida. Now in Florida, Ned would spend his time with Rosa watching sports, cutting the lawn with his riding lawn mower, and making sure to always ask strangers in the grocery store how old they think he was, for them to always think much less. He loved looking much younger than his years.
In January 2021 Ned became a first-time grandfather to his new joy, Lia Rose. He was overjoyed at being a grandfather, often noting how much of her personality is like his. He absolutely adored her.
Ned was a real character, and if you knew him, you knew he was not a shy person. He loved making those around him laugh, he sang out loud every chance he got, and he would never turn down the opportunity to sit and reminisce about the "good ole days" with a cold Pabst Blue Ribbon. Ned was a natural storyteller with an impeccable memory who loved recounting his time as a child and all the fun and mischief he would get into with his siblings.
Ned is survived by his loving, selfless wife of nearly 40 years, Rosa, his daughter Bessie, son-in-law Michael Waldron and grand-daughter Lia Rose Waldron. He was also a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews who share many wonderful memories of growing up with him. His vibrant personality and sly sense of humor will be greatly missed.
So long Sailor; till we meet again.
Born in Far Rockaway, New York on July 2, 1932, to Bessie Cleveland Johnson and John Pearce Howard, Ned was the "baby" of the family, the youngest of six siblings, John, Bill, Dick, Virginia and MaryAnne along with half-sisters Catherine and Elizabeth.
As an infant, Ned's family moved to the DC metro area where he would spend the majority of his life. At the age of 17, Ned joined the United States Navy during the Korean War, proudly following in the footsteps of his older brothers who were all veterans of WWII. Ned would spend the next four years on a PT Boat as a Boatswain's Mate First Class sailing in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi River.
After his time in the Navy, Ned returned home to Maryland, spending the next several years delivering oil for Sinclair Oil Corp. After his time with Sinclair, Ned began working at the Chevy Chase Country Club, where unbeknownst to him, his life would take quite a turn. In 1982 at the age of 50, after spending much of his life as a bachelor, Ned would meet Rosa Espinoza, the woman who he would credit for changing his life for the better and keeping him healthy for many more years to come.
Ned and Rosa married 16 months after meeting, and much to their surprise had their one and only child, a daughter, Bessie Dawn (named after Ned's mother) born in May 1984. There's no playbook for being a first-time father at the age of 52, but their future as a family of three would encompass much laughter, a lot of singing, and a lot of shenanigans. Ned loved to spend time teaching his daughter how to fix cars, watching football on Sunday, sledding, and taking summer vacations in Rehoboth Beach. Also, in true Maryland fashion he loved nothing more than eating steamed Chesapeake Bay blue crabs.
When he finally retired from the Chevy Chase Club in his 80's, his daughter picked up and moved him and Rosa to live near her and her husband Michael in Jacksonville, Florida. Now in Florida, Ned would spend his time with Rosa watching sports, cutting the lawn with his riding lawn mower, and making sure to always ask strangers in the grocery store how old they think he was, for them to always think much less. He loved looking much younger than his years.
In January 2021 Ned became a first-time grandfather to his new joy, Lia Rose. He was overjoyed at being a grandfather, often noting how much of her personality is like his. He absolutely adored her.
Ned was a real character, and if you knew him, you knew he was not a shy person. He loved making those around him laugh, he sang out loud every chance he got, and he would never turn down the opportunity to sit and reminisce about the "good ole days" with a cold Pabst Blue Ribbon. Ned was a natural storyteller with an impeccable memory who loved recounting his time as a child and all the fun and mischief he would get into with his siblings.
Ned is survived by his loving, selfless wife of nearly 40 years, Rosa, his daughter Bessie, son-in-law Michael Waldron and grand-daughter Lia Rose Waldron. He was also a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews who share many wonderful memories of growing up with him. His vibrant personality and sly sense of humor will be greatly missed.
So long Sailor; till we meet again.
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