Donald Leon Howerton

Donald Leon Howerton, 81, a longtime Liberty resident, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2019, with family at his side. Visitation will be held from 5-7 pm Friday, October 18, at Park Lawn Northland Chapel, I-35 at State Route 291, Liberty, MO. A service celebrating Don's life will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, October 19, at Second Baptist Church, 309 East Kansas Street, Liberty, MO. Burial will follow at Glenridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Boy Scout Troop 376, 11020 North Tullis Court, Kansas City, MO 64157, Inasmuch Ministries, 2050 Plumbers Way, Suite 190, Liberty, MO 64068 or Hillcrest Hope, 612 Grover Street, Liberty, MO 64068.

Don was born February 10, 1938, in Knox County, MO, the eldest of three children of Glen and Gladys (Campbell) Howerton. He graduated from Novelty (MO) High School, received his Bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Missouri at Columbia, and Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling from Northeast Missouri State University at Kirksville. Don was united in marriage to Clara Eubank on June 28, 1959, at the First Baptist Church in Columbia, MO.

Don's career in Education spanned 33 years, first for three years as a Mathematics and Science teacher in Braymer, MO, and for the last 30 years as a Junior High Counselor in the Liberty School district. He retired in 1993. He served and was an active member of many professional organizations in Education.

Don became active in Scouting when his son Jeff became a Cub Scout. He served as a leader of Boy Scout Troop 376 in Liberty and was an Honorary Warrior of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. He was an active 40-year member of Second Baptist Church. Don and Clara enjoyed camping and travels throughout 49 states. He especially enjoyed times in Colorado. His passions also included photography, creating stained glass windows, acrylic painting and judging for the Kansas City Barbeque Society.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Clara; children, Debbie Lane (Ed), Shelia Dittmer (Andy) and Jeffrey Howerton (Claudia); grandchildren, Abby Lane (Adam Gerber), Sara Quick (Matt), Heidi Dittmer, Isaac Howerton, Glen Dittmer and Henry Howerton; great granddaughter, Zoe Lane-Gerber; sisters, Kaye Morris (Barry) and Diana Weede (Larry, deceased); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 pm Friday, October 18, at Park Lawn Northland Chapel, I-35 at State Route 291, Liberty, MO. A service celebrating Don’s life will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, October 19, at Second Baptist Church, 309 East Kansas Street, Liberty, MO. Burial will follow at Glenridge Cemetery.