Randall "Randy" Howard

Randall “Randy” Howard of Des Moines, IA, passed peacefully at home on Friday, March 31st, 2023. He was 66 years old. A Des Moines native his whole life, he is preceded in death by his parents, Richard Howard and Mary Howard.

He is survived by his sister, Linda Tigue, Linda’s husband, Bill Tigue, and Linda’s children and their families, David Tigue and Tracy White; his loving wife of 43 years, Jennifer Howard, and his daughters and their families, Heather Lehmer, her husband Aaron “Jarvis” Lehmer, and her son, Graham Lehmer; Amanda Howard, her daughter Harper Wolf, and Harper’s father, Tom “Jarvis” Wolf; Stephanie McLain and her husband, Brian “Jarvis” McLain, her son and stepsons, Bradley Carlson, Ayden and Logan McLain; Jamie Howard; and Jacqueline Howard, her son Bentley Vojvodic, Bentley’s father, Goran “Jarvis” Vojvodic, and her daughter, Ava Howard. He also leaves behind  the family he adopted as his own, including Michelle Mullica, Michelle’s husband, Chad Adams, Debbie Sterner, and James Mullica, Jr.; and his brothers from other mothers, Larry Johnson, Hubert Balaski, and Jeff Thompson (Kim Thompson).

Randy was prone to bringing home strays, including his wife, three kids, several dogs and cats, and at least two salamanders. His heart was too big to let anyone or anything go without a safe, albeit hectic, home.

He loved buying, building, dreaming about, and listening to stereos. He used his stereos (he had one in nearly every room) to listen to Whiskey Myers, the Revivalists, Foghat, and hundreds of other albums loud enough to shake the house. He said the cracks in the foundation were due to earth movement, but we all know the truth - it was his bass.

He spent the last few years of his life traveling around the country and overseas. His last trip was to Ireland, the home of his ancestors. Though he was a bit of a homebody, he would go anywhere and do anything to make Jennifer happy, as long as she didn’t ask him to go to a theme park.

Even though he pretended to be gruff, he was a teddy bear. He had a quick wit and an infectious laugh, and he loved without reservation. He often would yell inappropriate words at the dinner table to make his girls giggle. He treated heart break with late night chats and chocolate no-bakes.

Randy will be missed immensely by all who knew him.

The funeral will be held at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home at 8201 Hickman Blvd, Des Moines, IA on Thursday, April 6th, with a visitation from 1-2pm followed directly by a service and a reception.

Donations may be made to Children & Families of Iowa.