Richard L. Howard

Richard “Rick” Lee Howard of Nashville, TN passed on Saturday April 19, 2025. Rick was born on February 20, 1965, in Galesburg, IL, the son of Danny and Susie (Glasnovich) Howard.

Rick graduated from Galesburg Senior High School in 1983. He participated in various sports throughout the years, predominantly baseball, which he continued playing while attending Carl Sandburg Jr. College and also on a Senior Hardball League for Happy Joe’s team. He worked for the City of Galesburg Park Department and Jefferson Smurfit. Rick then moved to Nashville, TN which led to a nearly thirty-year career with Metro Park and Recreation where profound relationships were made. The people he worked with on the golf courses were more than co-workers, they became his work family.

Rick is survived by five siblings, Lori (Joe) Deets of Galesburg, IL, Linda (Steve) Boone of Dunlap, IL, Mike Howard of Galesburg, IL, Lisa Howard of Knoxville, IL, and Kathy (Van) Shipley of Galesburg, IL.

“Uncle Rick” was loved by his nieces and nephews, Jeremy (Camille) Howard of Edwards, IL, Jake Shipley of Galesburg, IL, Andy Boone of Dunlap, IL, Danika (Nathan) Elmore of Peoria, IL, Sami (Justin) Havelock of Galesburg, IL and Sumer Rose of Knoxville, IL.

Great nieces and nephews, Elizabeth Howard, Mackenzie Howard and Isabelle Howard of Edwards, IL, Evelette Mercado of Knoxville, IL, Hallie Jo Havelock of Galesburg, IL and

Micah Elmore of Peoria, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law, Kelly Howard.

Rick was an avid sports fan, always rooting for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Illinois teams especially the Black Hawks and Bears.

His true passion was spending time with family. His vacations were driving back to Galesburg to be with us and later years to help take care of our parents. He never missed a Christmas with family. Rick will be greatly missed not only by his family but by the many friends he made through the years.

There will be a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home, Galesburg, IL. A private family burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorials in Rick’s name can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.