Howard Fair's Obituary
Decatur- Howard Daniel Fair, 69, of Decatur, was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus, at 3:51 p.m. Sunday, December 6, 2009 due to lung complications at the Richard L. Roudebush VAMC in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Memorial service to celebrate Howard’s life will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, December 19, 2009 at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans or the American Cancer Society. Inurnment will be at a later date. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
Howard was born March 7, 1940 in Hammond, Illinois the son of Mervil “Red” and Eleanor (Kestner) Fair. He was the second son of three boys. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy as a Boilerman, 3rd Class on the USS Marias in Portsmouth, Virginia from 1957-1961. He was a boilerman at Norfolk & Southern for twenty-two years. He was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed stock car racing in his earlier years with his brother Allen. The two of them shared many memories, good and bad, at Macon Speedway for many years. Howard learned to enjoy the season and spirit of Christmas from his loving and devoted wife Carol. He married Carol Newlin February 22, 1984.
He leaves behind his wife Carol of Decatur, Illinois, daughters; Lynnette (Fair) Bogard and fiancé James Clifton of Farmer City, Illinois, Amy (Fair) Binder of Greenville, South Carolina, Karla (Statzer) Swarms of Fairland, Illinois, Stacy (Statzer) Sheets and husband Bob of Decatur, Illinois, and Mindy (Statzer) Shafer and husband Rodger, Jr. of Decatur, Illinois, son; Howard Daniel Fair, II and wife Tammy of Tucson, Arizona, grandchildren; Adam Koehler, Autumn, Taylor, and Elizabeth Bogard, Danielle Binder, Jacob, Eric, and Benjamin Fair, Aaron and Jaymon Swarms, and Max, Sydni, and Gage Shafer, brother; Allen Fair and wife Rosie of Decatur, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother; Bill Fair, sister-in-law; Carolyn Fair, and best friend; George Wakefield.
Howard will be missed by many and will always have a special place in all of our hearts.
What’s your fondest memory of Howard?
What’s a lesson you learned from Howard?
Share a story where Howard's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Howard you’ll never forget.
How did Howard make you smile?