John Albert "Bub" Howard

John Howard ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home - Circle on Feb. 26, 2026.IN LIEU OF CARDS OR FLOWERS, THE FAMILY REQUESTS THAT DONATIONS BE MADE IN HONOR OF BUB TO CONROY CARE AT PO BOX 556 CIRCLE, MT 59215John Albert "Bub" Howard of Cow Creek in McCone County passed away on Feb. 25, 2026.Bub was born May 25, 1930, in Wolf Point, Mont., to Murvale Eastman Howard and Flossie Fountain Howard. Bub got his nickname from his dad when he was a little boy, when his dad referred to him one time affectionately as Buster, and Bub quickly quipped back, "My name isn't Buster, it's Bubba." The name stuck and was eventually shortened to Bub.As a child, Bub attended school first at Hamblin, then Cow Creek, and one of his favorite childhood pastimes was riding pigs. After graduation from Circle High School in 1948, Bub returned to the family farm to grow wheat and raise cows for more than 70 years. Bub's memory of farming and living on the farm is unprecedented. When asked, he'd talk about how he and his dad used a CAT to pull a 30' toolbar in the 1950s or that they were one of the first people on the scene of the B-52 crash just north of the Howard property in 1964. He was always happy to visit with friends over the phone or a cup of coffee at his kitchen table. Bub was a farmer through and through; however, he did have other hobbies. Bub was an avid photographer and a collector of cameras and photography equipment, as well as a gun collector.Bub's life took a romantic turn when he married Julie (Elverud) Howard July 4, 1993. Bub continued living at the farm, while Julie lived in Circle, but they always found time to spend together. In the spring of 2018, Bub moved to town permanently to live with Julie following an illness. He walked 12 blocks almost daily, and people around town would often see him carrying his cane above his head, instead of using it to steady himself.In 2021, Bub and Julie moved into Conroy Care, where they both found a new sense of community and friends who shared similar life experiences. After Julie's passing in December 2021, Bub continued to live there in his own apartment and continued to walk as much as he could, whether it be outside during the summer or in the garage during the winter. He survived pneumonia and throat cancer with the support of the Conroy Care staff, friends and family.Bub was preceded in death by his wife Julie, mother Flossie, father Murvale, and twin sister Alice.Bub is survived by his step-children, Jeff (Jenny) Dockter, Angela (David) Harris, grandchildren Megan (Nick) Pollard, Matt (Orla) Harris, Jaren (Danielle) Allen, and six great-grandchildren. Equally, Bub is survived by his neighbors in the Cow Creek Community and all those who consider him part of their extended family or count him as a cherished friend.Bub's passing represents a great loss for the community. His kindness, his innate ability to listen, and his ability to see good in others is something we will all miss.At this time, the family is planning a Celebration of Life for Bub with a date to be later announced. In lieu of cards or flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Conroy Care in Bub's memory.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.