Aubrey G. Howard Jr's Obituary
Aubrey Gaylon Howard Jr., known as “Jack” to those closest to him, was born and raised in what was once considered rural Frayser, an area he was forever attached to and loved. Often telling the story of his pregnant mother pushing a wheel barrow full of bricks while his father, a Free-Mason, laid and built the foundations of the family home. Possessing a zeal for life and energy, he spent his early years as only a boy of his era could, riding his pet mare (who followed him to school on more than one occasion), climbing the myriad of trees on the family property, camping along Nonconnah Creek with his friends, avidly collecting comic books and performing for his family with a series of never-ending athletic acrobatic stunts on the “acting bars” on the side of the house, often on horseback. Living a rough and tumble outdoorsman existence, worthy of the Boy’s Life magazine’s he treasured, and once even appeared upon the cover, resulting in all sorts of scrapes and bruises. Including one horse bite to the chest, causing him to constantly remark that a man should never approach an animal from behind… especially a sleeping one!
SCHOOL DAYS
In a rare feat, that endeared him even more to the area, Jack attended the same school from kindergarten to graduation. It was at the old Frayser High School, where his “inner showman” really came into being, a characteristic not always appreciated by the older members of the staff, but adored by his classmates. Here he found his stride by running track, perfecting his vocal skills in the school chorus, working at the Boys Club of Memphis and excelling in the 4H club, a venue which enabled him and his sister to travel across the mid-south to attend conferences, shows and even speak at events.
More importantly, it was at this time, he progressed through both Boy and Explorer Scouts, obtaining the highest rank possible for the later, the Silver Award. It was here, through the Order of the Arrow, where he discovered Indian dancing and was able create his first impression “Swift Eagle” and mastered the “hoop dance”, often using up to 24 hoops, with the end hoops being lit on fire! While performing this at a scout function, his athletic prowess and natural showmanship attracted the attention of a local promoter who gave him his first paid “gig”.
It was to perform his increasingly popular hoop dance as “Swift Eagle” for the premier of the movie Tonka outside the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Memphis. This resulted not only in a nice pay day, but his first article to be written about him in the Memphis newspaper. It seems his performance, not only attracted a large amount of movie-goers but also some storm clouds, because it rained immediately afterwards, ending an extended dry spell in Memphis, in which the paper gave “Swift Eagle” full credit… when asked about the coincidence, Jack simply replied “No extra charge”.
His time at Frayser High School ended around the same time. Though he earned no academic honours, he did earn immortality in the minds of those who attended and perhaps a little payback at a few teachers, by stealing the show and all the attention. Fully channelling the character of “Swift Eagle”, he cut his clean cut 1950s hair style into a full Mohawk for all to see and admire before walking down the aisle. This act is famously immortalized in a rare family pic, where the entire family is gathered together, just moments before driving to the school for the ceremony, the uncontrollable laughing, especially of his mother, showed he accomplished his goal.
FIRST JOB AFTER GRADUATION
After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, receiving his basic training in Texas, where, again, he displayed his unique sense of humour, by leading his squad in precision “drop seating”. While other squads could march and turn on a dime, Jack coached his fellow airmen to drop on their bottoms in unison upon their T.A.’s command… the other drill instructor’s loved it. So much so, he was allowed to carry the colours during graduation, an honour, he explained later, bestowed upon him not because of inter-squad leadership, but the fact he was the only one who had any “rhythm”.
After completing basic training, he was stationed in New Mexico, a place he had visited as an Explorer when visiting Philmont Scout Ranch. Here he continued training in radar communication maintenance and worked as a target spotter on a bombing range. Knowing the lay of the land due to his previous trips, he continued his love of scouting, volunteering as an Assistant Scoutmaster for a local troop and, on more than one occasion, catching and cooking rattle snakes for the boys while camping in the desert. Again, by chance, while teaching the boys about Indian Lore, the character of “Swift Eagle” brought Jack again into the spotlight… not once but twice… in the form of the World Wide United States Air Force Talent Competition.
At the urging of friends, Jack entered the dance section of the competition to appear as “Swift Eagle” and do his famous hoop dance. Advancing through the various rounds, Jack advanced to the finals, where he and contestants from all over the world for flown in for the televised finals. The live broadcast was to be viewed by service men, women and their families on the closed circuit Armed Forces television and radio in all theatres of operation globally.
The night before his first television debut a minor disagreement with another contestant resulted in an exchange of a few harsh words… and evidently a punch or two… resulting in a broken nose and two swollen black eyes… the night before his television debut! To cover this, for the first time, he adorned war paint to his impression, covering the swollen eyes and damaged nose with black and the forehead and cheeks in white, thus becoming his signature paint design, which he would use to entertain scout groups for the next 30 years. In spite of perhaps losing the scrap, he never said who won, he again stole the show by going on to perform on live television, while being barely able to see, his hoop dance the next night and win the coveted Talent Competition Trophy and honours!
Then, as if that were not enough, he returned the next year to win again… probably much to the chagrin of that other contestant.
WHAT I ENJOYED DOING IN MY FREE TIME
A natural observer with a quick wit, Jack soon realized he had a gift for impressions. He would constantly amuse others with his dead one impressions of movie, film and radio stars and practiced every chance he had. He toned this gift of mimicry on Armed Forces Radio by entertaining the various shifts with comedy bits and introducing songs as various actors whenever he had a chance to play disc jockey.
The ultimate kudo came when meeting a surly Ken Curtis (“Festus” from the TV show Gunsmoke) at a “meet in greet” in a local restaurant, were hundreds of fans waiting to meet the famous character actor. Mr. Curtis, who, was plainly not in a good mood, stormed out of the room right before we were to meet him. As he was leaving, Jack called out to him in the most perfect character impression “Oh, come on now, just where do ya think you a goin’… You ain’t gonna just leave us here?” Bringing an instant burst of laughter to all the disgruntled fans who had waited… and a bit of chagrin of the actor… especially when the owner of the restaurant came to Jack, shook his hand said he should have hired him!
FAVOURITE VACATION
New Mexico would always hold a special spot for Jack, not only as it was a stepping stone for his first television appearance, but also home of the Philmont Scout Ranch, a place where he was able to apply all skills he had learned in Scouting, Explorers and 4H. It was with considerable pride and accomplishment for him to be able to share it with his eldest grandson Adam and granddaughter Alexandra. They adopted the Scouting experience that played such a huge part of his life and were able to follow his path to New Mexico, his heart swelled in pride and tummy possibly growled for some more rattlesnake.
PLACE MOST AT PEACE
Jack was most at peace when he was being creative, entertaining others and making them laugh. A truly multi-talented man; he could draw, sing, write funny poems, dance, perform magic, play the guitar, play the drums and, most importantly, captivate an audience. Wherever he went, wherever he worked, wherever he lived, he found a venue to share these talents.
An example of his talents being sought out, was that he was once called in, at the last second, to do a drawing for a party being thrown for one of the “Doolittle Raid” surviving pilots who was retiring. This pilot was not only now a General, but was also his Wing Commander too! Undaunted and emboldened with more talent than prudence, rather than do a simple small picture, he took a large white bedsheet, drew a life sized caricature of a B-17 Bomber nose diving into the China Sea, with the General sheepishly climbing out of the bottom of it… holding a gas can… and pinned it behind the bar in the Officer’s Club!
The General loved it. We think. Jack did remain a Captain for an awful long time…
WONDERFUL FAMILY EXPERIENCE
Jack was a humble man. No… he was a righteous dude. He took nothing for himself and gave everything to everyone else. He sacrificed his dreams to raise his sons, be with his wife and even answered the call, when others would not, to step up to take care of a mother who needed him. Instead of the spotlight on stage, he choose one in the living room, performing magic tricks for his kid’s birthday parties, being Santa Claus for Christmas every year (even on Skype for his other two grandchildren Nick and Jack… his namesake) and the ultimate New Year’s Eve host when it was just for his family… dressing up as Baby New Year to compete with Dick Clark on the TV… and give everyone a laugh and even allowing the dog to get drunk one year. It was here he ended up finding his true validation, most appreciative audience and was at peace.
He did everything right.
CAREER AND CIVIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Explorer Scouts – Silver Award
• US Air Force – Enlisted
• Memphis State University
• US Air Force – Commissioned Officer
• Philco-Ford - Aeronutronic Division - Satellite Tracking
• Substitute Teacher
• Aguilar Colorado – Full time teacher
• Professional Scout – Woodbadge
• Good Conduct Medal
• AFL Service Award
• Airforce Outstanding Unit Award
• National Defense Service Metal
To view the webcasted funeral service click the link below:
http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/42018
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