June 14, 1934 — June 29, 2024
Sad to report the passing of Clifford "Don" Howard, who died peacefully at home on June 29, 2024 at the age of 90. Don was the son of Irene and Dewey Howard. He was born in Covington, Kentucky on June 14, 1934. He was reared by Mae and Howard McKinsey, his aunt and uncle, of Dry Ridge, Kentucky. Following high school, he attended Campbellsville Junior College in Kentucky, and later, Georgetown College in the same state, where he majored in music. He studied piano at both the Cincinnati and New England Conservatory of Music schools.
He later worked in Cincinnati, Boston, and New York City before moving to San Francisco in 1966, where he worked for the Department of Social Services for 20 years, retiring in 1986.
Besides Don's passion for music (particularly opera), he also loved animals and owned a beautiful cat, which was often found on his lap while watching TV or listening to music.
Don is survived by his close friend, Bernard (Bernie) Jones of San Francisco.
The deceased was buried privately beside his mother at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Dry Ridge, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 250 Florida Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 (sfspca.org).
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