Howard R. Ezell

Howard Raymond Ezell, 86, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, was born June 1, 1939, in Boynton, Oklahoma, the son of Stephen Edgar and Gracie Ethel (Sloan) Ezell. He departed this life Tuesday, April 20, 2026, at Harmony Gardens Assisted Living in Warrensburg surrounded with love and family.

On January 22, 1966, he was united in marriage to Patrica Ann “Pat” Traudt in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and to this union four children, Margaret, Mary, Melissa, and Steve were born. Pat, who was born and raised in upstate New York, preceded him in death on August 25, 2022.

As a child and teenager Howard’s family followed the harvest and picked everything from cotton in Oklahoma to all varieties of crops in California. He also harvested wheat from Oklahoma to the upper Midwest. As a teen he would drive for his hometown police officer while on patrol and then started driving families from Oklahoma to California for hire. His transient life led him down many career paths. Howard served in the United States Army, drove a taxicab, worked on a turkey farm, worked as a rough neck on oil wells, tended bar, worked the assembly line for Chrysler in New Jersey, and broke in racehorses in Kansas. When he met Pat, he was managing the Lodge at Green Mountain Falls in Colorado. He and Pat married and after starting a family, he eventually settled in delivering gas for Suburban Propane for over 30 years, then worked for Pleasant Hill CO-OP until retirement. He enjoyed the outdoors - gardening, traveling, hunting, fishing, boating, and camping. Family summers were highlighted by a car trip to either the east or west coast to visit family. Married 57 years, Howard and Pat opened their home at a moment's notice to several family members and friends in need of a place of refuge. Known for his ambitious vegetable garden, he proudly shared the abundance of their harvest.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents; ten siblings, Harley Ezell, John Ezell, Niva Benson, Ruby Vinson, Juanita Ezell, Amanda Ezell, Clara Ingram Carver, Franklin Ezell, JoAnn Ezell and Stephen “Junior” Ezell.

He is survived by four children: Margaret (and Jim) Hallman of Urbandale, Iowa; Mary (and Mike) Schrage of Warrensburg, Missouri; Melissa (and Doug) Dawson of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; and Steve (and Meribeth) Ezell of Lone Jack, Missouri; eleven grandchildren, Abby (and Casey) Helsel, Megan (and Drake) Moser, Amanda Hallman, Emily (and Ethan) Fairbanks, Sarah Schrage, Andrew Schrage, Ashley Schrage, John Ezell, Sophie Ezell, Maggie Ezell, and Will Ezell; one great grandchild, Willow Moser; other relatives and friends.

Visitation and funeral services were held Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the funeral home.  Pastor Janice Hill officiated. Casket bearers were Steve Ezell, Jim Hallman, Mike Schrage, Doug Dawson, John Ezell, and Andrew Schrage.

Graveside military services and interment were held in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery with full military honors by the United States Army and the V.F.W. Post #3118 Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Pleasant Hill Lay-Clergy and may be sent in care of the funeral home. The Lay Clergy Council helps local residents in need.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.StanleyEdenburn.com.

Arrangements: Stanley-Edenburn Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong St., Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080