Charles Howard

Charles Dunn Howard of Twinsburg Township, OH, formerly of Sacramento, CA and Gary, IN, died Thursday, July 11 at Southpointe Hospital. He was born June 19, 1943 in Hobson City, AL.

Charles attended Tolleston High School in Gary, where he played basketball, football and baseball, serving as team captain in all three sports. After his graduation in 1962, he embarked on a career in professional baseball, playing 12 seasons on minor-league teams affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates and three seasons in Mexico.

A switch-hitting outfielder, Charles also played first, second and third base in more than 1,600 games between 1963 and 1977. A true journeyman ballplayer, he appeared in more than 1,600 professional baseball games with the Kingsport Pirates, Reno Silver Sox, Kinston Eagles, Gastonia Pirates, Raleigh Pirates, Macon Peaches, Salem Rebels, Columbus Jets, Waterbury Pirates, Charleston Charlies, Thetford Mines Pirates, Tampico Alijadores and Poza Rica Petroleros. He had a career batting average of .269 with 209 home runs and 850 RBI.

Beyond the baseball diamond, Charles worked in the mills around Gary, Indiana. He was an attentive caregiver to family and friends in need and was a treasured and loyal son, brother, uncle, teammate and friend. He loved sports of all kinds, was always up for a deep conversation and never hesitated to share his unvarnished opinion, defusing any tension with a smile and a zing: “Just making conversation,” he’d say or “don’t let me hold you” if he was done. We all came to know and love his ways.

Most of all, Charles was a survivor, bouncing back from a serious car crash in Gary in the 1990s and beating lung cancer after being diagnosed in 2016. He relocated from Sacramento to the Cleveland area and lived comfortably until God called him home.

Our beloved “Charlie Boo” or “Knook” as he was affectionately called, was preceded in death by his mother, Madeline Howard; father, James Howard, brothers, Alvin Howard and James Howard, and sister, Alean Stewart. Survivors include nieces Ericka Nicole Howard of Garfield Heights, OH, Antiqua Austin (Tyrone) of Gary, IN and nephews Marcus Stewart (Lisa) of Twinsburg Township, OH, Mizell Stewart III (Valerie) of Aurora, OH, Bryan Howard (Cerise) of Redford Township, MI, James Howard of Michigan City, IN and a host of cousins and friends. 

As per Charles’ request, no funeral or memorial service will be held. For more about Charles go to:

https://charlesdhoward.com/.

Heritage Cremation & Burial Society 

(216) 631-4500