Howard Eugene Filkins, 86, of SE OKC, OK passed away into the loving arms of his Savior on Aug 31, 2019.

Howdy, as he was known by most was born at Sublette, MO on Feb. 18, 1933 to Boyd H. and Lola P. (Peterson) Filkins (deceased). He attended Hazel Creek Rural school & Green Top & Kirksville High Schools. Howdy married Barbara Joan (Jody) Barnett on Dec. 25, 1955. He served in U.S. Army Ordinance from 1954-1957 active duty and 1957-1962 in the reserves.

Surviving are sons Daniel E. (Shelly), David L. (Debbie), Dale W. (Kimberly) of OK and special daughter Nancy Shoush & family of Kirksville, MO. Also, sister Olena McLain of Greentop, MO., brother Jerry Filkins (Joyce) of Ashland, MO., 8 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren: Andrew (Andrea) Filkins (Mikayla, Annabelle, Elizabeth Joan and Howard T). Amanda (Mark) Johnstone (Harrison, Jackson, Hayden, Keegan & McKenna). Lindsay (Justin) Jerome. Logan (Afton) Filkins (Brandt Daniel & Carolina Logan). K.K. (David) Tester (Judah, Bear & Maximus). Faith, Grace & Dustin Filkins. and a host of extended family and friends too numerous to name.

Two weeks after their wedding, Howdy & Jody flew to Fontenet Army Base in France where he was already stationed for the next 21 months. They returned to the U.S. along with 9-month-old son, Daniel. From January to December, 1958, they lived in Nashville, Tennessee where he attended Free Will Baptist Bible College. Returning to farm in Missouri with their newborn son, David added to the family. From January 1959 to 1973 they farmed in Adair County in various areas, then buying their farm in Hazel Creek Community.

Son Douglas Paul joined the family in 1960. Their home was a licensed foster home and during that time a special daughter, Nancy, was added to their family, then Sheila. Son Dale joined the family in 1971, six weeks before Douglas died on May 28, 1971. Howdy was always active in his home church of Hazel Creek and Kirksville Free Will Baptist churches. He served as a deacon, song leader and in various areas. He was also the first president of the Kirksville chapter of Gideons International and served on the state board of the Free Will Baptist. May 28,1973 the family answered the call to Ivory Coast, West Africa to serve as dorm parents for H.S. boys in the I.C.A. Missionary Children's School where they stayed for 4 years. On leave of absence January,1978 they moved to Moore, OK where he was maintenance supervisor at Hillsdale College. In 1980 they returned to Africa to serve as maintenance missionaries to the remote bush medical station of Doropo.

1983 found them back to their OK home where he formed Howdy's Lawn Service, continuing for the next 20 years. He was active and helped build several churches but settled down at CrossPointe in Norman for his last years. During those last 39 years he and Jody enjoyed their love of travel, brief mission trips, their Mobile Villa Camping Club, fishing, hunting, gardening, his John Deere tractor and embracing numerous others into their family fold, as special sons and daughters. He lived a full life in spite of several health issues and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Memorial services will be Saturday, September 7, 2019 at 1:00pm at CrossPointe Church, in Norman, OK with burial service at Hazel Creek Union Cemetery, NW of Kirksville, MO, on Monday, September 9, 2019 at 1:00pm. A public viewing will be held Monday, September 9, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville. The family will receive friends after burial at Hazel Creek Church nearby.

Memorials may be sent to: Free Will Baptist International Missions 5233 Mt View Rd Atioch, TN or 1040i (Humanitarian Organization) PO Box 721765 Norman, OK 73070.