Howard E. Lockhart Sr., age 80, of Safety Harbor, FL, passed away on Tuesday, April 26, 2011.
He was born and lived most of his life in Dayton, OH, moving to Florida just 2 years ago to be near family members.
He is preceded in death by his parents Mabel Lowrey Lockhart and Albert Henry Lockhart; his son Christopher Patrick Lockhart Sr.; his brother's Albert (Lois) Lockhart and Gerald Lockhart; and his sister Francis Lockhart.
He is survived by the mother of his 12 children, Barbara Wessel Lockhart; 11 children: Barbara Tolle, Howard Lockhart Jr., Donna Hawkyard, Thomas Lockhart, Diane Klinger, Joyce Lockhart, JoAnn (Dave) Deshong, Rebecca (Tony) Reynolds, David Lockhart, Daniel Lockhart, and Cheryl Lockhart; 19 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; his brother Donny (Janie) Lockhart; his dance partner and best friend, Janice Stanze; and many other relatives and friends.
Howard attended Northridge Schools, proudly served in the Navy during the Korean War, and was a truck driver for Eastern Express for nearly 30 years.
After retirement he was an active member of the Kittyhawks Squares and Tuesday Plus Square Dance Clubs and most enjoyed spending time with family and friends, with whom he gathered regularly for Sunday morning breakfast at the Golden Nugget Pancake House.
The family will receive friends Thursday, May 5, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Newcomer Funeral Home (3940 Kettering Blvd., Kettering, Ohio). The service will be on Friday, May 6, at 11:00 AM, immediately followed by a precession to the VA cemetery for burial.
Donations may be made in Howard's memory to Dayton National Cemetery Gift Fund.