Obituary

Howard Alford
(July 13, 1920 - August 16, 2017)

HOWARD ALFORD, P.E., 97, transitioned to Heaven after a brief illness on August 16, 2017, at St. Mary's Medical Center. He was born on his grandparents' farm in East Bend, N.C., on July 13, 1920, to William and Mattie (nee Yarbur) Alford. The family moved to what is now Winston-Salem where Howard became fascinated with broadcast communication. He built his own amateur radio at age 12 and soon became a licensed amateur radio operator, a passion he continued throughout his life. Upon graduation from R.J. Reynolds High School, he worked for several area radio stations before moving to Raleigh to install and maintain two-way radios in N.C. State Highway Patrol vehicles. As World War II loomed, Howard volunteered for the Us Army becoming a member of the N.C. Third Engineers Special Brigade/Signal Corps. His service in the Pacific Campaign in New Guinea and the Philippines earned him a myriad honors, including the Bronze Star, and despite serious battle wounds at the hands of the Japanese enemy, he had yet to receive his Purple Heart after 73 years. Upon his return to Raleigh, he married his beautiful sweetheart, Cora E. Hardy, and they moved to the Hampton Roads, Va., area where Howard was employed by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (later to become NASA). He moved on to work for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway/CSX in Richmond, Va., and became chief Communications Engineer after transferring to Huntington. He was a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.). First and foremost, Howard was a devoted husband and father. Upon his retirement, he tirelessly volunteered his communication knowledge to third-world countries through AmeriCorps VISTA. He was a Civil War scholar; loved the folk music and language of Germany where he traveled several times; enjoyed spending hours in his radio "shack" connecting with fellow Hams around the world; and was a lifelong member of the A.R.R.L. He enjoyed books, television series and movies about the Old West. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Prentiss, Venice and Willie Alford, and a beloved sister, Ethel M. Keyes. He leaves behind his devoted wife of 71 years, Cora; loving children, William G. Alford (Diane) of Canton, Ohio, and Joan E. Alford of Wake Forest, N.C.; granddaughter, Mary M. Boyle (N.Y.); and his Bearded Collie buddy, Abbey. The family is very grateful for the nursing staff of St. Mary's who provided incredible care and compassion. A family memorial service will be held at a later date in N.C. Donations of your time or finances in Howard's memory to veteran organizations or no-kill animal shelters would be fitting tributes. Chapman's Mortuary is assisting the family.