Howard Stanley Needham, age 85, of Morristown, passed away Thursday, June 1, 2017 at Heritage Center. He was born on December 24, 1931 in Tazewell, TN and lived on his parent’s farm in Sandlick, TN where he attended school. He always recalled walking to school carrying food stuff for the teacher to make soup for their lunch. His family moved to Monroe, Michigan in 1950. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 – 1955 as a Corporal at Fort Benning, GA and was in charge of the rifle range. After discharge, he was employed by Willis Overland Corp. and Jeep-Chrysler Corp. as a sub-assembler in Toledo, OH. Howard retired in 1988. He moved to Morristown in 1994 and enjoyed working in his yard and helping others with gardening. He always looked forward to family visits and trips to the Smokies for picnics and hikes. His favorite place was Cades Cove and he walked the loop twice and always had an eye out for the bears. In the fall, he looked forward to seeing the fall colors on the Blue Ridge Parkway. For twenty years, he and his brother would take a trip across the mountain to see the old home place every Friday, rain or shine. His nieces and nephews called him “Howardie” and he was known by Stan by his siblings. Howard believed in living the Christian life and was a man of faith. His favorite Bible verse was John 14:1-4. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lon and Ethel Needham; brothers, Wayne, James Donald, and George Needham; and sisters, Margaret and Fern. He is survived by his brothers, Carson “Cawood” (Betty) Needham, Glen “Fay” (Brenda) Needham, and Lynn “Ray” (Darlene) Needham; sisters, Pat (John) Brown and Dorothy Keck; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Special thanks to the nurses, CNA’s, and staff at Heritage Center. The family will receive friends from 10 – 11 a.m. Saturday, June 3 at Westside Chapel Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Rev. Harold Noe officiating. Private graveside services will be held at Burch Cemetery in Tazewell. Arrangements by Westside Chapel Funeral Home in Morristown.

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