Howard Lee Cass passed away at the Sheridan County Health Complex, Saturday, February 17, 2018 at the age of 72. On October 10, 1945, he was born on the family farm in rural Sheridan County to Clyde Aden and Circea Arlene (Hite) Cass. He grew up on the family farm in Sheridan County and attended Tasco Grade School thru eighth grade and Sheridan Community High School thru his junior year. Howard was a member of the Solomon Valley 4-H Club and enjoyed participating in the Sheridan County Fair where he won grand champion on his hog.
After leaving high school, he worked in the oil fields for a short time, worked for a custom cutter and in the winter of 1965, Howard went to Washington State to work in his Uncle Clark’s excavating business. In 1966, it was back to Kansas to custom cut wheat with his brother, Doug. Howard and Doug cut all summer going all the way to Canada. Later in 1966, Doug, his wife Sharyl, and Howard went to Moses Lake, Washington to work with their Uncle Clark.
Howard was drafted into the Army in 1967. He served in Viet Nam for thirteen months as a Scout Dog Handler. After Howard was discharged from the army, he went to Moses Lake, Washington where he worked with his Uncle Clark. Due to their uncle’s failing health, Howard and Doug took over his business calling it Cass Bros. Excavation. When Doug and Sharyl moved to Denver, Howard continued to run the business.
In 1970, Howard met and married Sannia Callison. They were blessed with a daughter, Connie Lee. After several years of marriage, they divorced.
In 1978, Howard was in a boating accident, resulting in his neck being broken and leaving him paralyzed. He then moved back to Hoxie, Kansas to be closer to his parents & brother. His daughter, Connie flew out to spend every summer and many Christmas Breaks with him. He enjoyed spending time with her on the old farmstead ten miles east of Hoxie. They both shared a love of animals and spending time outdoors. Connie’s favorite memories are summers on the farm with her chickens, catching turtles and riding her minibike. Howard enjoyed all her adventures.
Howard enjoyed animals, car races, football and all his many friends stopping by to not only bet on and watch games but just to visit. His “Divas”, Lisa Rall, Suzie Newell, Carleen Gillespie, and Niceta Farber were especially important and close to him. Our Family thanks them for the special friendship they had with Howard. A very special thank you to Lisa Rall for all her dedication and hours spent with Howard during his final hours and to his brother and wife, Doug and Sharyl Cass, who comforted Howard and were with him when he passed.
Howard is survived by his daughter, Connie Lee Moore and her husband Tim of Ephrata, Washington; two grandchildren, Sydney and Tyler Moore of Ephrata, Washington; a brother, Douglas C. Cass and wife Sharyl of Hoxie, Kansas; a niece, Tami Porsch and husband Mike of Hoxie, Kansas; a nephew, Ty Cass and wife Becca of Ellis, Kansas; Great-nieces, Marissa and Chloe Porsch; great-nephews, Tristan and Dayton Porsch, Tage and Rylan Cass; other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Circea Cass and his loving cat, Coco.
A funeral service is planned for Thursday, February 22, 2018, at 10:00 A.M., at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, Hoxie, KS. Burial will follow the service in the Bow Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 21, 2018 from 11:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. with family receiving friends from 5:00 P.M. until 6:30 P.M. at the funeral home. Family suggests memorials to Sheridan County Amusement Company or the Hoxie Grade School Playground Fund. Online condolences may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com.
Howard was a man of courage. Even after his accident he lived his life to the fullest. He loved his family, friends, and was extremely proud of his daughter and grandchildren. He would tell you to miss him but not too long and to celebrate the life he lived.