MR. RUFUS
M. HOWERTON
July 29, 1931 - December 28, 2005
Rufus M. Howerton, 74, of Arkansas City, died Wednesday (December 28, 2005) at the South Central Kansas Regional Medical Center. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Saturday (December 31, 2005) at the Central Christian Church. Burial will follow in the Memorial Lawn Cemetery. The Reverend Steve Chambers will officiate.
Rufus was born July 29, 1931 in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas to Clifford and Essie (Austin) Howerton. He was reared and educated in Dierks, Arkansas, graduating from Dierks High School in 1949. Rufus served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He married Willa Clem on December 18, 1954 in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. The couple moved to Arkansas City in 1959.
Rufus worked as a truck driver for Budweiser and later Newsweek before moving to Arkansas City. In Arkansas City he worked at Rodeo Meat Packing for many years and was a longtime member of Central Christian Church. He was also a member of the Sheldon Beaty Post #18 American Legion. Rufus was a strong supporter of youth baseball in Ark City. He spent many years as a coach for his sons teams as well as for many other young men. He spent many volunteer hours at the City Ball Park taking care of the grounds. He continued to attend as many baseball games of his grandsons, hunt and fish until his health prevented him. Survivors include his wife Willa of the home; two sons Stanley of Arkansas City, Troy and his wife Melissa of Winfield; one daughter Kelly Marshall and her companion Mike Taylor of Arkansas City; three sisters Monthiray and her husband Russell, Wanda and her husband Ed Davis all of Little Rock, Arkansas, Lorine Fatheree of DeQueen, Arkansas; two half-brothers Cliff Howerton of West Frankfort, Illinois, J. W. Howerton of Madison, Alabama; seven grandchildren Jason and Josh Howerton, Trista and Charles Snook, Bryson Marshall, Jessica, David and Drew Taylor. He was preceded in death by his parents and step-father Ewell Bray, a sister and two brothers.
Memorials have been established with the Arkansas City Baseball Association or the Central Christian Church. Contributions can be made through the funeral home.
submitted by Kelly (Howerton) Marshall
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