Howard Cain

Howard L. Cain at the age of 85 passed from this world on April 25, 2020 at the Emporia Presbyterian Manor surrounded by his family.

Howard was one of twelve children born to Virn L. and Mary J. (Timmerman) Cain in Coffeyville, Kansas. Howard grew up in large close-knit family that shared a great love for music.  Many evenings, Sunday afternoons and holidays were spent with each member of the family playing an instrument of choice for hours on end.  Howard’s instruments of choice were the Mandolin or Harmonica. Life wasn’t always easy for the Cain’s during that time, but love was something they were never deprived of.  Howard’s love of music continued in his life until the very end.

Howard attended school in Coffeyville and completed his education at Field Kindley Memorial High School.  At the age of 20 on March 1, 1954 he entered the US Air Force and retired with an Honorable Discharge on August 31, 1974.  He served as a Fighter Jet Mechanic; one of his first overseas assignments was in France where he also met a beautiful young woman, Monique.  He and Monique were wed on March 8, 1958 in Herbertville Meuse, France.  The couple returned to the states where Howard was stationed at Victorville, California.  A few years after returning to the states Howard was sent to Vietnam; to ensure the safety of his wife and young children, he moved them back to Coffeyville to be near his family.  Upon his return from Vietnam after serving for a year and a half his youngest children didn’t even remember who he was.  After Vietnam, Howard and his family moved to Amarillo, TX to his new assignment. His family moved with him to each base sharing the military life, each base was a new experience.  The next station was San Antonio, TX then to Albuquerque, NM, then on to Spain and back to San Antonio where Howard retired from the Air Force.

Civilian life was quite different for the whole family for the first time in 1974 they had a permanent home in Emporia, Kansas where Howard went to work for meat packing plants and then worked at the Municipal Airport.  Unfortunately, Monique and Howard divorced but shared in having five wonderful children.

Howard relocated back in the Coffeyville area where he met Linda Hull and the two were wed on, October 22, 1988 in Independence, Kansas.  The couple made their home in Independence and Coffeyville.  Howard worked for the Coffeyville Public Library until his retirement.  Linda preceded him in death on September 9, 2009.

In addition to his love for music Howard enjoyed tinkering on things either by building something from start to finish or modifying whatever he thought he could improve the design of. Watching old western movies, most importantly John Wayne. His pug dogs were his faithful companions.  Friendships were formed at the McDonalds’ Coffee Group first in Coffeyville and then in Emporia.    Howards family was most important to him; he found it necessary for the legacy to continue by organizing the first family reunion that even his grandchildren remember.  Times were not always easy for the Cain Family, but love has prevailed and is continuing for generations to come.

Howard is survived by his children, David Cain and his wife Kandice, Michael Cain, Christine Larchez, Patricia and husband Joe Chester, and Steven Cain and his wife Julie; eleven grandchildren, many great-grandchildren; brother, Harvey Cain and sister, Hermenia Woodrum.  In addition to his parents and wife Howard was preceded in death by daughter, Debra Cain; brothers, Harold, Harland, Herbert and Herman Cain; sisters, Hester Johnson, Helen Stewart, Herretta “Teny” Friedline, Hazel Purcell and Hilda Hurbenick.

Due to the Covid19 regulations a private family service will be held on Thursday, April 30 at Ford-Wulf-Burns, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville.  Pastor Dick Smith of First Baptist Church will officiate.  Burial will follow at Harrisonville Cemetery where Howard will be laid to rest by his wife, Linda.  The family has requested memorial contributions be made payable to June Bug – c/o Central Care Cancer Center (Non-Profit Cancer Patient Assistant Program) 1401 W. 12th Ave., Emporia, Kansas or may be sent in care of the funeral home. Join us at 11 am on Ford-Wulf-Bruns Facebook for live streaming of the service.  To leave a message of condolence for the family visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com