FRED E. HOWARD

God must have needed some welding done on the gates of Heaven.  He took the best home to do it.
Fred Eugene Howard, 56 of Canton, Missouri passed away Friday, July 31, 2026 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
He was born November 28, 1969 at Quincy, Illinois to David A. and Mary V. (Smoot) Howard. Fred graduated from Canton R-V High School in 1989. He started in the workforce at a very young age. He started helping his brothers push mow the Wyaconda Baptist Church grounds at the age of 10.  He continued this job until his passing. He worked for the Lewis County Road and Bridge crew for many years. The job that defined him and that he was most proud of was his welding shop that he and his dad established while Fred was in High School. He continued this shop through the years with numerous family members and friends, mentoring many young minds. He was very proud of his ability to work and fix things that others couldn’t. He never said no to a challenge and loved helping and working for his community.
Although he never married or had children, his numerous nieces and nephews brought him great joy.  He loved teaching them his love of fishing and the importance of family, even if he was the one who gave them their first drink. Fred was an active member of Monticello Masonic Lodge #58 and a member of the Canton Fraternal Order of Eagles Arie #1800.  He was also a board member of the Canton Special Road District.
Fred was a gentle giant who granted space in his heart for everyone! His laughter and love of life was contagious. He also had a love of animals and treated all of them as his children, never feeding them dog food, only people, because they were to him.
He is survived by his siblings, Rose Orr of Canton, Mo., Mary (Bill) Foster of Clayton, Ill., Arthur Howard of Canton, Mo., Julia Liby of Canton, Mo.; sister-in-law, Debra Howard of Winchester, Tenn.; numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews; and an aunt, Dorothy Higbee of Canton, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters in infancy, two brothers, Rick and John Howard, brother in laws, Tiger Morlang, Mark Liby and Rick Orr.
Please join family for a Celebration of Life on August 15, 2026 from 5 until 10 p.m. at the Canton Eagles Club at Canton, Missouri.
Arnold’s Funeral Home in Canton in charge of arrangements.