Howard L. House

Howard L. House, 90, of Batesville died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, September 16, 2014, with his beloved wife of 66 years, Mary Corbin House, by his side. Along with his wife, Mary, he is survived by his daughters, Penelope House Duncan and husband Wendell Loys Duncan of El Cajon, California and Dianne House Lamberth and husband Marcus Hughes Lamberth of Batesville; a brother, Edward Lisle House; and sister-in-law Verlene Hinson House. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Lisle and Katie Matlock House; his sisters, Hilda Warford and Dorothy Snyder; and brothers-in-law Charles Warford and Gilbert Snyder. Howard is survived by four grandchildren, Lauren Virginia Lamberth Patterson and husband David Nelson Patterson, Marcus Lance Lamberth and wife Kimberly Treadway Lamberth, Christopher Howard Duncan, Matthew Loys Duncan and wife Kirsten Frank Duncan. Howard is survived by 12 great-grandchildren, Georgia Caroline, Scarlett Annaleese, Virginia Gray and David Daniel Patterson, Marcus Howard Lamberth, Ethan Loys, Aiden Robert and Nolan Frank Duncan, Ryan Howard and Meaghan Ann Duncan and Victoria Emilee and Madelyn Grace Vance. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. At one time Howard thought he wanted to be an attorney, but after finishing law school at Cumberland School of Law in Lebanon, Tennessee, he found "another way of life" that took him down a road less traveled. And chances are, he paved that road himself. Howard was a member of what Tom Brokaw has called "the Greatest Generation." This is the generation that sacrificed during WWII and then returned home to build and rebuild a country. Howard was a member of the U.S. Navy Air Corps in WWII. Howard's first memory of Arkansas was a license plate he read in Kentucky. The license plate proclaimed Arkansas as the Land of Opportunity. He wished that it were still on there because he believed it is still a land of opportunity. In 1948 he married Mary Corbin and together they moved to Batesville in 1953 where Howard became involved in the U.S. government's strategic metals program. In 1956 he was joined by his brother, Eddie, and they formed House and House Construction. Twelve years later, armed with this experience and sensing the state's need for infrastructure, White River Bituminous was formed and entered the highway and road construction business beginning a career that has improved our lives and eased our travels. The image of Howard atop a dozer is a familiar one to many of us and symbolic of his role as a builder. Howard House literally changed the face of Batesville and Independence County. He has built two golf courses, developed a major residential neighborhood, and created several shopping centers. Howard's entrepreneurial spirit and his strong work ethic have been the driving forces behind his 90 years of business success. Providing opportunities for others was the achievement from which he derived the most satisfaction. He remembered what it was like to struggle to create and maintain a new business. From his humble beginnings, he identified with many young people in the Batesville area, and he has given assistance to them in many forms. Many businesses in Batesville trace their beginnings to him, and they have learned from him that hard work and sacrifice breed success. Along with the love of fast airplanes, Howard loved fast horses. A quick flight to and from the racetrack to watch his horses was his idea trip. He was a former chairman of the Batesville Airport Commission and former vice chairman of the Arkansas Aerospace Commission. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He was a past director for the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce and a recipient of the Community Development Award in recognition of the betterment, enhancement and development of Batesville and also named King White River. He was a Director of the Arkansas Chapter of Associated General Contractors and inducted into The Arkansas Construction Hall of Fame. He was an Honorary Alumni of Lyon College for his service to the community and supporter of education. Howard was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from Northeast Arkansas Business Today honoring his legacy of vision, leadership and monumental contribution to the business community of northeast Arkansas. He was also an inductee in the Arkansas Asphalt Pavement Association Asphalt Hall of Fame. Howard loved his family and friends above all else. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 20, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church in Batesville with arrangements by Roller-Crouch Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to White River Medical Center, 1710 Harrison Street, Batesville, Ark. 72501; Lyon College, P.O. Box 2317, Batesville, Ark. 72503; First United Methodist Church, 615 Main Street, Batesville, Ark. 72501; and Newton Creek Baptist Church, 12800 Ogden Landing Road, Kevil, Ky. 42053. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.