Howard D. King

Howard passed away on May 4 after a long illness. He was born on June 4, 1932, in Cleveland, Ohio, the oldest of three children whose parents were Howard Dean King, Sr., and Estella Goodhart King. As a child, he moved with his family fairly frequently, but eventually settled in Wooster, Ohio. He attended high school there and graduated from the College of Wooster in 1953. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1955, and served as a Captain and jet pilot, until his active duty ended in 1959. He was a member of the USMC Reserves until 1968. Howard attended graduate school at Ohio State University, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Psychology. He was employed at the College of Wooster in Administration, eventually serving as Dean of Men. In 1972, when he felt he was too old to relate to the students, he took a position with Rensis Likert Associates in Ann Arbor as an education consultant, but quickly turned to health care management consulting. In 1981 he left RLA and formed his own consulting firm, Howard King Associates, which he operated successfully until 1999. He counted those years as some of his best, where he made lasting friendships with many of his clients. Shortly after he moved to Ann Arbor, he met with his new insurance agent, Bob Ufer, and they talked about Howard’s background in radio sports announcing. Mr. Ufer told Howard that tryouts were being held at the University of Michigan football stadium for the public address announcer position. Howard auditioned for the position in Michigan stadium, having never set foot in it before. He was given the position of football announcer and shortly after that was asked to take on basketball PA announcing as well. Howard’s time with the University of Michigan Athletic Department was an experience he considered to be life changing. He announced Michigan basketball for 20 years, retiring from that position in 1992, and announced football for 34 years, retiring in 2005. He was awarded an honorary membership in the letter winners’ “M Club.” In 1999, Howard and his wife Liz moved to Traverse City for her career. He quickly became active in the community, serving as a docent at the Dennos Museum, joining the Marine Corps League, and volunteering at The Presbyterian Church. He became active in the noon Rotary Club, and joined the staff of Rotary Charities as a volunteer, assisting with strategic planning and capacity building initiatives. His work there led to a nomination for The Governor Romney Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, and he was selected as a finalist. Wherever Howard went, he made friends easily, and served as a mentor to many of them. He especially enjoyed working with his younger friends and spent many hours helping them better understand and utilize their potential and their gifts. He enjoyed warm friendships with the U.S. Coast Guard - Air Station Traverse City Commanding Officers and Executive Officers. He also loved classical music, especially Beethoven, and enjoyed attending Traverse Symphony Orchestra concerts. He was gregarious and lived life large. He thoroughly enjoyed flying airplanes, playing golf, fine dining and single malt Scotch. Surviving Howard is his wife and best friend of 30 years, Liz, as well as his daughters, Elaine and Beth, and grandson Tommy. He is also survived by his brother Jim, sister Elizabeth, and their children and grandchildren. His beloved dog Gunny, aka Semper Hopeful, also survives. The family is grateful for the fine care he received in his final days at Cherry Hill Haven and from Hospice of Michigan. Visitation for Howard will be held on Friday, May 20, from 3-5 and 6-8 p.m. at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth St., Traverse City. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 21 beginning at 11 a.m., at The Presbyterian Church of Traverse City, 701 Westminster, Traverse City. Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Michigan Athletic Development Department, 1000 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109 or online at www.support.mgoblue.com; the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, 300 E. Front St., Ste 230, Traverse City, MI 49684 or online at www.traversesymphony.org/support; The Presbyterian Church, 701 Westminster, Traverse City, MI 49686 or the charity of your choice. Semper Fi Go Blue!

Howard D. King

June 4, 1932 - May 4, 2016