Howard Neal Varnado
February 3, 1963 ~ September 4, 2017

Howard Neal Varnado, 54, of Stephenville, Texas, passed from this earthly life on September 4, 2017. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother and uncle.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 8, 2017 at the Cowboy Church of Erath County with Werth Mayes officiating. Burial will follow at Upper Greens Creek Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Kyle Varnado, Thomas Rider, TR Varnado, Chase Varnado, Jaylen Snead, Lance Mudd, and Kenny Lester. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM Friday, one hour prior to services.

As great men do, Howard loved his family more than anything - in addition to rodeo, roping, cooking world class meat dishes, cheering for every level of football in Stephenville, and America – which were all sources of great pride for him. He was a champion for his childrens' athletic pursuits and he loved all things cherry. Those who knew him well knew his heart was even bigger than the XXL shirt he wore, and that he would give that shirt right off his back along with his heart to anyone who needed it. His greatest legacy is that he and Afton have raised their four children to do the same.

Howard was born to Fred Harold Varnado and Belvarie Ann (Durbin) Varnado on February 3, 1963 in Independence, Louisiana. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Samuel Otto Varnado and Irma (Warren) Varnado, Melvin Durbin, Virgil "Pat" (Hale) Chiasson, and his father, Fred Varnado.

Howard is survived by his devoted wife, Afton (Richard) Varnado; children, Kyle Varnado, TR Varnado and wife Abigail, Chase Varnado and Sierra Varnado; grandchildren Khloe Varnado and Nash Varnado all of Stephenville; mother, Belvarie (Durbin) Varnado of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, sisters - Cheryl Varnado, Linda Mancuso and husband Ron, all of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Betty Zeugin of Austin, Texas; half-brothers, Samuel William (Billy) Varnado of Shongaloo, Louisiana and Timothy Varnado and wife Brandy of Pritchett, Colorado; stepbrother , Jerry Regan and wife Tabatha of Branch, Arkansas, and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Romans 8:26 Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Stephenville High School Athletic Department or to Tarleton athletics.

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