Gary Orvis Howe

Gary Orvis Howe Obituary

  Gary Orvis Howe, 88, of Saxton, PA began eternal rest on May 3, 2025.

  He was born December 12, 1936, in Robertsdale, PA, the son of Charles C. and Nora K. (Sipes) Howe. 

  Gary graduated from Robertsdale High School in 1954 and was a member of the famous Robertsdale Tiger football dynasty that went undefeated in 28 straight games from 1952-1954.  At the time, this streak was a Pennsylvania record. 

  He enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduation and was ultimately stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage Alaska. While there he was tasked to cover sporting events as a journalist, which he enjoyed tremendously.   

  Gary left the Air Force in December of 1957 to attend Shippensburg State College from 1958 to 1962 where he received a BS degree in Secondary Education (Mathematics).  Not long after graduation he embarked on a thirty-one-year career as an Operations Research Analyst at the Defense Industrial Supply Center in Philadelphia, PA. 

  Early on in his career Gary would frequently return to Broad Top to visit his family and friends in the area.  It was during one of those visits he would meet the love of his life, Irene Elizabeth Taylor.  They were married in June of 1964, and soon settled down in the Philadelphia area where they would raise their two sons.

  Gary and Irene lived in Philadelphia for over 45 years, but their hearts remained in the Broad Top Area.  In 2007 they permanently relocated to Saxton, Pa where they were able to purchase Doc Isenberg’s home.  Gary could always be found outside working on his vegetable garden and multiple flower beds on the property.  One of his biggest thrills was to give away the vegetables from his garden.  When he was not gardening,  he could be seen at a Tussey Mountain High School sporting event.  He rekindled his writing career while in Saxton, and had several articles published in the Broad Top Bulletin and the Altoona Mirror praising local student athletes. He was also a routine visitor at the Broad Top Area Senior Center where he loved to play pool and competitive card games.  He was known to drink a little  buttermilk and loved to cheer on the Philadelphia Eagles and the Penn State Nittany Lions.  He was an active member of the Saxton Sportsmen’s Club and rarely missed an opportunity to sign the book.  In addition, he loved to attend all the local fire hall dinners to get caught up with his friends.

  In retrospect, Gary’s life centered around family and friends.  He placed a high priority on these important relationships.  He will be missed by both the young and the old.  Despite having a very large family, he never forgot to send birthday cards, which was an amazing feat.  May it be said well done! 

  He was preceded in death by his older sister Alice K. Lemin and her beloved husband Ronald C. Lemin, along with two of his in-laws, Dorothy Howe, wife of Reynauld D. Howe, and Linda Howe, wife of Charles R. Howe. 

  Gary is survived by his devoted wife of over 60 years, Irene E. Howe of Saxton, PA, and his two sons, Craig S. Howe, husband of Holly, of Plano, TX, and Brian P. Howe, of Saxton, PA.  He is also survived by his two grandchildren, Taylor G. Howe, husband of Chandler, of Dallas, TX, and Hayden E. Howe, of Arlington, TX.  Gary is also survived by sisters Martha A. Rupel, wife of John, of Richmond, VA, Jane E. Murphy, wife of Bill, of Richmond, VA, Rebecca G. LaDu, wife of Bill, of Asheville, NC, and brothers, Reynauld D. Howe, of Omaha, NE, David L. Howe, husband of Connie, of Richmond, VA, and Charles R. Howe, of Richmond, VA, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Noon with Jack Russell officiating at the Curtis A. Heath Funeral Home Inc. Friends will be received 2 hours prior starting at 10 AM until the time of the service.

Interment will take place in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Broad Top City where military honors will be conducted by the Broad Top Area Honor Guard.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Curtis A. Heath Funeral Home Inc. 5010 Railroad Ave. Broad Top City, PA. 16621. Online condolences can be made at www.caheathfh.com.

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