As most of us know, Howard was born on July 22, 1922 at home so he could be close to his mother! Yes, it's a worn-out joke...but describes the man's humor to a tee!  Oh and the one about Little Orphan Annie saving his life...you know, the Long Beach earthquake on March 10, 1933? Howard used to go by the Ford showroom on his way home from school as a kid. On this particular day, however, he by-passed Ford because he was running late for Little Orphan Annie on the radio. After the earthquake Howard learned that Ford had been leveled!

Howard was the only child born to John Hal and Cora Blanche Kelley. In 1930 it was feared that Howard had contracted TB from his ailing father and was sent to Olive View Sanitarium. Until 1934-35 he was in and out of this institution, and his father died in 1936 after a long illness. This time shaped Howard’s life in many ways. According to Marjorie, when Howard came home from the sanitarium he moved out of his mother’s home and built his bedroom in a small shack behind the house.

Howard graduated from Compton Union High School in 1941 and entered Pacific Bible Seminary in Long Beach. In 1943 he was ordained to the ministry and served his first church, Lawndale Church of Christ from 1943-1945. Howard graduated from Pacific Bible Seminary in 1945 and on June 19th of that same year, he became office director at Christian Standard, Standard Publishing Company in Cincinnati, Ohio. He also preached at a country church near Lexington, Kentucky on the weekends.  On January 16, 1946 he and his wife at the time, Betty Jane Clark, welcomed their son Patrick Nathan.

Howard returned to California and became the minister at Rialto First Christian Church in September 1949. He also enrolled at Chapman College in Los Angeles and met Marjorie Flood Logue. Marjorie was working as the secretary to the college president, Dr. George Reeves. According to Howard, he was captivated by her smile and laugh at first sight! That fateful meeting was the beginning of two relationships that lasted over 60 years, Marjorie and Chapman College, later Chapman University. Howard and Marjorie were wed on June 15, 1951 with Dr. Reeves officiating.

In January 1952, Howard became the minister at a church in Alameda, California. He and Marjorie lived with “Auntie Lois” and second son Stephen James was born on October 6, 1953. In February 1956, Howard went to work for Chapman College in Orange, California as director of admissions, then as the first official alumni director. Daughter Janet Lynn was born the following month on March 11th – which was also Marjorie’s birthday!  And on December 24, 1957 daughter Holly Ann was born.

In January 1961 Howard moved his young family to Richmond, California to become the minister at Barrett Avenue Christian Church. Apparently this was a very good time for the family. They lived in the parsonage on the church property and had a dog named Cleo, who liked to chase cars. Cleo was often heard crashing through the screen door to find her next victim!  There was also a laundry chute in the home which apparently had a very appealing draw for the kids. Nothing like riding down a laundry chute!  Oh, and those stairs. On more than one occasion out came a twin mattress and whoosh! Down the stairs they went!

There was also plenty of opportunity to spend time with their cousins the Echols. Howard had a life-long friendship and bond with his brother-in-law Dean Echols. Since Howard was an only child, he often referred to Dean as his “brother.” Howard also enjoyed spending time with his sister-in-law, Betty (Marjorie’s sister) and their four children Marjie, Tom, Jim, and Peter. To them he was “Uncle Howdy.” 

Howard was on the move once again in 1964 when he accepted the position of assistant to the president at Christian College in Columbia, Missouri. He also preached weekends at Midway Christian Church near Mexico, Missouri, to a small congregation. The Kelley’s enjoyed many after-church dinners at the tables of these special people. Nothing like fried chicken and mashed potatoes cooked by country folk!  While living in Missouri, Howard’s mother passed away in 1966.

Desiring to return to his beloved California and the warm sunshine (done with shoveling snow!), Howard went to work for Chapman College in Orange in June 1969. He worked with World Campus Afloat – a college on a ship. World Campus Afloat was at sea each semester traveling around the world while students learned not only book but also by experience. During his time at Chapman, Howard’s son Steve not only had the great fortune of a semester at sea, he also ran into a tsunami!

Howard enjoyed Chapman tremendously but he was wooed away in August 1975 by Dr. Robert Schuller to work for Garden Grove Community Church, later the Crystal Cathedral. Howard was hired as the minister of stewardship and went to work helping raise funds to build the Cathedral. Marjorie was also pegged by Dr. Schuller during this time to become his personal secretary, which she loved! Howard spent seven years with the ministry honing his talents then founded Dynamic Stewardship Services, a church growth and development firm, in January 1981.

Howard spent the next several years traveling the country helping church leaders develop their programs, and watching their congregations grow under his careful direction. It was during this period that Howard met his “brother” Jack Boland. This relationship became a very important one to both men, not only professionally but personally. Howard and Marjorie flew out to Detroit to be with Jack when he passed away. There were ten others in the hospital room that night and they became known as “The Twelve.”

Howard and Marjorie traveled the world in the 70s and 80s, and Howmar Tours was soon born. Howard put together several tours and cruises throughout the years in which they had the good fortune of experiencing other countries, cultures and people for almost nothing! Howard’s ingenuity at work once again as well as God’s blessings upon this couple. Howard also spent many years in the Rotary Club and introduced son-in-law Joe to the organization.

In 1986, Howard threw a huge anniversary bash for Marjorie in which they renewed their vows after 35 years of marriage. Everyone was there including Roger Williams playing his magic on the piano, and Robert Schuller performing their vows. Son Stephen put together a wonderful slide show in celebration of their life. Later with tears in her eyes, Marjorie proclaimed it a huge success. She told daughter Janet that she never had an actual wedding cake when she married Howard, so it meant the world to her to finally have her cake.

Although Howard and Marjorie “retired” in the 90s, they continued their volunteer work for Chapman College, Town and Gown, and the Crystal Cathedral Ministries. They enjoyed traveling, cruising and attending educational tours around the US. They also enjoyed the theater, ballet, symphonies, books, their grandchildren, and each other. Howard was also an avid gardener, and on any sunny day you could find him planting, watering or just sitting in the shade admiring the beauty.

During their latter years, they moved from their beloved home on Forest Lake to Town and Country, a “senior” facility in Orange, and then to a facility in Anaheim Hills where they loved the food!  Because of Marjorie’s failing health, in October 2008 Howard and Marjorie decided to move to Bremerton, Washington to be near Pat and Susan and their family. This was a very meaningful time for all of them. Granddaughter Robin Dunkle opened her boutique, Howard and Marge, in Burien, Washington. What a special delight it was for this couple to be honored by their beautiful granddaughter in this way.

Howard and Marjorie spent the rest of their days in Washington. She died on May 5, 2010 and he on December 8, 2013. From the day she passed, Howard longed to be reunited with Marge. During his last conversation with Janet, Howard stated, “I have lived a long, good life and I am ready. I do not see any more reason to stay. Although I will do nothing to hasten it, I will also do nothing to prolong it.” Howard enjoyed 91 years on this earth and was completely at peace with leaving it.

Howard performed three of his children’s weddings, and two of his grandchildren’s weddings (Robin and Amanda). It gave him great pleasure to be part of their special days in such a way. His legacy shall always be his children, grandchildren and the generations to come.

Howard performed Holly’s wedding to Joe at the Crystal Cathedral. As he started to speak, his long pause as he absorbed the emotional impact of the moment, brought tears to many eyes. Then he started with “It all began in the Garden”…and shared one of the most beautiful messages on love and marriage that anyone has ever spoken. Holly’s message to Howard is now, “Dad, we are rejoicing that you and Mom are reunited in the holiest of Gardens.”

Welcome home, Howard.