Kenneth O'Steen Howard

Kenneth O’Steen Howard passed away peacefully at his residence in Morehead, KY, on April 15, 2024. He was born on October 23, 1943, in Ocala, Florida, to Thomas Dewitt Howard and Rushia Mae Harper Howard and was of the Baptist faith. 

Ken is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sarah Jane Plank Howard, and other members of his Plank family:  Berchie Plank, Judy Meadows, Gary (Frieda) Plank, Donnie (Anna Mary) Plank, Jackie Plank, Dallas Plank, Rodney (Terry) Plank, and Nick Plank; other survivors include his son, Ty Howard (Candi) of Stanford, KY; his daughter, Candy Dales (Kevin) of Wallingford, KY; his grandchildren, Dalton Justice, Logen Justice (Joe Hamilton), Kegan Dales, Connor Dales (Matti Mers), Grayson Dales, Sheradan (Darren) Arrasmith, Sydney Dales, Jared Howard, Cade Norden, Abby Howard, Josey Norden, Alexa Howard, Ryder Brown, Reya Howard, and Raven Howard; and his great-grandchildren, Mason Justice, Matti Justice, Brylen Justice, Zaelyn Hamilton. 

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Tom and Rushia Howard of Auburndale, Florida; daughter, Tracy Justice of Morehead; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Sue Plank, Billy Plank, Nancy and Bobby Lambert, Russell Meadows, and a large contingent of loyal canines. 

Ken grew up in Auburndale, Florida, and attended Auburndale High School where he excelled in football and track and field. He was named to the All-Southwest Conference Football Team in 1961 and competed in the state track meet in discus in Spring 1962. 

Assistant football coach Wayne Chapman and head principal Larry Workman at Auburndale High School, both alumni of Morehead State University, contacted Guy Penny, the head football coach to advocate on Ken’s behalf.  Based on the game film and coupled with his size and speed, Ken was offered a football scholarship. 

During his four years at MSU, Ken played on both sides of the line, at offensive guard and middle linebacker. He was a member of the feared “Headhunters” group as named by assistant coach Earl Bentley. This group was the most aggressive and formidable players on the team and wore a skull and crossbones on their helmets. 

He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, the Campus Club (Sigma Gamma Sigma) and was a founding member and vice president of the “M” Club. Ken completed student teaching in Paintsville during the spring of 1966 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts that summer. Soon after, Ken accepted a teaching and coaching position at Auburndale School District in Florida.  

During his five years there, he taught physical education at Walter Caldwell Elementary School and Industrial Arts at Auburndale High School. During this time, he was an assistant football coach and head baseball coach for the high school. In 1971 he accepted a graduate assistant position with Morehead State University where he completed his Master of Arts.  

During the summer of 1972, he accepted a position with Rowan County Schools as an Industrial Arts teacher and head football coach at the high school. His tenure as head football coach at Rowan County lasted ten years (1972-1979 & 1987-1988) and included a KHSAA State Semifinal playoff appearance in 1975. This represents the furthest any team in Rowan County football history has advanced in the playoffs. His win total of 53 games ranks as the second highest total in the 62 years of Rowan County football. He was EKC Coach of the Year in 1975 and 1976 and received votes for State Coach of the Year in 1975. 

In 1990, he accepted the assistant principal position at Rowan County Middle School and in 1996 he moved to Tilden Hogge Elementary School as Head Principal. His retirement was at the end of the 2001-2002 school year. 

His friends and family understand some of his favorite things are football, firearms, dogs, family, Sarah’s cooking, Harley Davidson motorcycles, Elvis, 50s & 60s music, and crème horns. His three children missed the birth control meeting which resulted in a large crowd of grandchildren (15) and other than college bowl season, when all were gathered together, represented the happiest times of the year for him. 

The fond memories he shared were growing up in Florida, which included lots of fishing and serving as lifeguard at Lakeland Country Club. Other memories include some of his beloved outlaw relatives, the close relationships he developed with students and athletes he taught and coached, friends from high school, college, and too numerous to count from Rowan County and Morehead. 

He was a first-generation college student, and this example is an everlasting legacy that he passed to his family. His love of sports and especially football, were intertwined throughout his life. He decided to travel one thousand miles away from home to play football and complete a college degree. The courage displayed to leave the security of Auburndale, as an only child, and travel to Morehead, Kentucky, has left an incredible example for his family.

He was a member of Morehead Masonic Lodge and El Hasa Shrine Temple. A favorite activity was to attend parades dressed as a clown in support of the Shriners.  

A celebration of life will be conducted Friday, April 19, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel with Pastor Rick Crank, Pastor Jeff Fannin, and Pastor Mark Caldwell officiating. The service will be live streamed at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Facebook page beginning at 11 a.m.   Burial will follow at Adams-Plank Cemetery with grandsons serving as pallbearers.

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. with Masonic services to be conducted at 7:30 p.m. by Morehead Masonic Lodge No. 654 at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals, 400 Fraley Drive, Morehead, KY 40351. 

View memorial tribute or sign guestbook at www.northcuttandson.com 

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