Howard Douglas Coomer

Major Howard D. "Lance" Coomer passed away peacefully and departed this life on Thursday, August 10th. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Brack and Zanna Coomer, his wife, Brenda Coomer, his sons, David Coomer and Dennis Coomer, his sister, Edna Hardin, his niece, Francine Dabbs, and brothers Ernie Coomer and Jack Coomer.  

He is survived by his sons, Howard D. Coomer, Jr., Jeffrey Coomer and Bryan Coomer, and his daughters,  Tracey Sullivan, Debbie Morrison and Margie Matlock, several grandchildren and great grandchildren, his nephew, James Hardin and his wife, Ann, and his nieces, Sharlene Osborne and Christine Nielsen. 

Born in Dayton, Ohio on March 19th, 1942.   Howard traveled many places around the world in his role with the United States Army.

He served in the United States Army for 22 years, retiring with the rank of "Major". Major Coomer was a Senior Aviator and Master Parachutist with two tours of duty in Vietnam. He earned four Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Purple Heart Medals, two Bronze Star Medals, thirty-eight Air Medals with five "V" devices in addition to many additional medals and awards.

He loved fishing dearly and was a long time member of The Springfield Bass Club and also assisted several years with The Shriners' Annual Fishing Tournaments.

He was also an accomplished hunter and enjoyed hunting deer, elk, pheasants, ducks, and other game.

In addition to fishing and hunting, he was a talented golfer and was a long-time member of Green Hills Country Club. 

He was known for having a good sense of humor, enjoyed playing practical jokes on people, always found time to volunteer his time as a Shiner "Hospital Dad", and told incredible stories about his time in the Army and his world travels.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 9th at McConnell Cemetery, on Union Chapel Road near N. Nicholas Road in Nixa, under direction of Adams Funeral Home, Nixa, with Dr. Wade Bridges officiating,

Cremation rites were accorded by Adams Crematory, Ozark.