Howard Eugene Essary was born in Ponca City, OK on October 21, 1932, to Eliza Victoria and Willie Essary. Howard passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior on April 8, 2023, in Owasso, OK. Howard attended grade, junior high, and high school in Ponca City, OK and later studied business and accounting at Northern Oklahoma College and Tulsa Business College. He moved to Tulsa in 1955. Howard grew up attending First Church of Nazarene in Ponca City. He accepted Christ at early age of 6 years old and his spiritual walk with Jesus was important to him his entire life.
Howard was very much involved with church work all his life. At First Nazarene Church in Tulsa, he was on the church board, taught small groups, sang in the choir, and served in many other positions. Howard loved to pray and especially prayed for his family and friends, but he would pray for anybody, anytime!
Howard was the youngest of 10 children. His siblings were Ova Keeler, Lester Essary, Edna Green, Estella Buechel, Junior Essary, Roy Essary, Steven Essary, Pearl Doing Lowther, and Geneva Eaton.
Howard began working at an early age to help support his mother and himself.
Howard had a long and successful career at Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital in Tulsa. He managed the Business Office as Credit Manager, and worked in Social Services helping countless patients and families. After 32 years he retired from the hospital, then worked for Mayfair Nursing Home for 10 years in charge of Admissions and Social Services and retired again in 1998. At 90 years of age; he often commented on how he enjoyed working with those old people at the nursing home.
Howard and Vicki started volunteering at Manna House Food and Clothing Pantry in 2001 and Howard continued serving there as Director until 2019. He was also very involved in the community and coached teams in little league baseball and softball.
Howard met Victoria Williams in 1959. Their first date was Wednesday night church service and they hit it off immediately and were married on April 30, 1960.
From this marriage, they had 3 children (Mark Essary, Todd Essary, and Lisa Essary Johnson).
Howard was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings. He is survived by his wife of almost 63 years, Vicki Essary of the home.
He is also survived by his children Mark (wife Dottie) of West Palm Beach FL; Todd of West Palm Beach FL; Lisa Johnson (husband Robert) of Owasso: His loving grandchildren are Sarah & Danny Vassilev, Brad & Katie Essary, Kyle & Cheyanne Johnson, Tori & Zach Langley, Derek Johnson, Dot and Brandon Goodson, David & Carrie Longest, and Jacob Longest. His loving great grandchildren are Daniel Vassilev, Molley Essary, Lilley Essary, Walker Johnson, Claire Langley, Adrial Fisher, Austin Fisher, Brianna Longest, Gage Longest, Jillian Longest, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 13th from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Mowery’s Funeral Home, 9110 N Garnett, Owasso, OK. Services are scheduled for 10:30 AM on Friday, April 14th at Collinsville Freewill Baptist Church, 15320 US-169, Collinsville, OK. Memorial donations may be in Howard’s name to Manna House Ministries, 4921 E. Admiral Pl, Tulsa OK 74115.
