Ralph Howard

Ralph Howard GREENSBORO | Ralph Howard, age 68 of Greensboro, died March 11, 2017 at Hale County Hospital. Services will be held on Thursday March 16, 2017 at 1:00pm at Greensboro Baptist Church with Rev. Steve Vernon and Rev. Dee McGuire officiating, burial will follow at Oakwood Martin Cemetery in Greensboro. Visitation will be held on Wednesday night March 15, 2017 at Greensboro Bible Methodist Church from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home South is directing. Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, Preston and Mattie Lee Howard; sisters Gwendolyn Douglas and Reita Lucky and his nephew Heath Howard. Survivors include his daughter Tanya Howard Bonds, son; Patrick Howard (Karilee) , brother; George Howard (MaryAnn), and his grandchildren Colton John Poole, Brettman Howard Bonds and Preston Toews Howard. Ralph was born to Preston O"� Grande and Mattie Lee Clements Howard in Tuscaloosa, Al. on January 19, 1949, He graduated from Greensboro High School in 1968. He received his diploma from Shelton State Community College in Automotive/Diesel He joined the The National Guard in 1969. He then opened his shop, Howard Auto Clinic on Centerville Street. In 1973, he along with a few others went to EMT School with the intentions of getting an EMS system started for the citizens of Hale County. He went on to complete his education by graduating from the first paramedic program in West Alabama at The University of Alabama. He maintained his position as one of the top students in his class while continuing his business, raising a family and getting the ambulance service established. He was a pioneer in EMS, not just in Hale County but across the state as he traveled to other counties to teach and/or assist with EMT and paramedic courses. He inspired countless people to enter EMS and many other areas of medicine, God used Ralph"�s special gift to save countless lives. He has touched the lives of so many over the years in an ambulance, a classroom and by the many friends he cherished. He had an amazing gift to teach and was able to find and train the very special people it takes to work in this profession. He gave his free time to raise funds to ensure Hale County had state of the art lifesaving equipment, ambulances and training. He also worked tirelessly to have 911 and later E911 for our citizens. He also held the position of coroner for Hale County for several years and served on several board of directors and committees through West Alabama. Ralph was passionate about emergency medicine, but his biggest joy in life was his children and grandchildren. He put his heart and soul into everything he did and was successful at many things. After 41 years of dedicated service, he retired on March 31, 2015. He continued to give his support and advise beyond his retirement. He enjoyed fishing, wood working, cars, Nascar, but most of all family. His most important and successful role was that of father and "Big Daddy"�. Pallbearers will be Dr. Elwin Crawford, Don Meyers, Sonny Weaver, Bennie Abrams, Carl Hartley, Larry Johnson, Tony Smelley, Russell Weeden, Jonah Thomas and Jimmy Scott, Honorary Pallbearers will be Hale County EMS past and present staff and board members, Hale County Hospital Staff and Home Health, Southern Care Hospice, Hale County Sheriffs Department, Greensboro Police Department, Moundville Police Department, Hale County 911, Hale County Fire Association Members, Dr. Gerold Sibanda, Dr. Larry Skelton, Dr. Phillip Bobo, Dr. Robert Posey, John Townsend and Charlsey "Tot" Tubbs.