Howard Thomas Head was born on October 11, 1948, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Thomas Howard and Lilly (Talley) Peas. He passed away on Friday, July 3, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Watonga, Oklahoma, at the age of 77.  Howard was later adopted by Harley Wilbur Head and Paralee (Talley) Head and was raised in Hodgen, Oklahoma. As a young man, he answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. During his military service, Howard displayed extraordinary courage when he and another Marine were struck by a mortar round. Despite suffering a broken leg himself, Howard splinted his own leg, used duct tape to bandage the other Marine’s abdominal wounds, and carried him approximately 13 kilometers to safety, saving his fellow Marine’s life.  While overlooking the Kiamichi Valley from Winding Stair Mountains, Howard surrendered his life to the Lord, a decision that would shape the remainder of his life and ministry.  Howard attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he earned his degree in Theology. He also received his bachelor’s degree from Boyce Bible College. In later years, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary honored him with an honorary doctorate. Although he was unable to return to Louisville to receive the degree in person, he considered it a tremendous honor.  On May 21, 1971, Howard was united in marriage to Coetta Sue Snow in Panama, Oklahoma. They shared nearly 49 years of marriage before Coetta preceded him in death on May 15, 2020, in Oklahoma City.  Howard faithfully served the Lord in pastoral ministry for 51 years. His ministry began with outreach work at (1971) Lakeview Baptist Church in Spiro, Oklahoma, and later started a bus ministry at First Baptist Church before serving as pastor of numerous churches throughout Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kentucky; including (1984) Zoe Baptist Church in Zoe, Oklahoma; Sunnyside Baptist Church in Shepherdsville, Kentucky; Temple Baptist Church in Waldron, Arkansas; Sidney Baptist Church in Sidney, Arkansas, where he faithfully served for ten years; First Baptist Church in Perryville; First Baptist Church in Geary, Oklahoma; Trinity Baptist Church in Valliant, Oklahoma; Panola Baptist Church in Panola, Oklahoma; and finally Greenfield First Baptist Church in Greenfield, Oklahoma where he retired.  Throughout his ministry, Howard baptized just short of 2,000 people and was known for his unwavering commitment to sharing the Gospel and faithfully shepherding God’s people.  While serving in Sharp County, Arkansas, Howard also worked as the county Emergency Services Coordinator. As a certified Emergency Medical Technician, he served part-time on the ambulance, where he helped save numerous lives through his compassion and quick response during emergencies.  Howard was well respected by leaders at every level. He knew many senators and representatives and was a personal friend of the Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Mike often sought Howard’s counsel because of his spiritual discernment. Howard would readily encourage matters he believed were led by God but was never afraid to lovingly disagree when he believed an issue was driven more by politics than by biblical principles.  Away from ministry, Howard had a lifelong love for model trains. He especially cherished the memories of train trips he took with his mother as a young boy, and that love remained with him throughout his life. Howard’s greatest desire was that others would come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. His legacy of faithful service, unwavering conviction, and love for the Lord will continue to impact generations to come.

Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Timothy Head of Greenfield, Oklahoma; his grandchildren, Daniel Head and wife, Tristan, of Seiling, Oklahoma, and Elizabeth Alexander and husband, Jacob, of Leavenworth, Kansas; his great-grandson, Lucas Alexander; one great-grandchild expected soon; his brothers-in-law, Tommy Snow and wife, Laura, of Spokane, Washington, Jimmy Snow of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Ronald Snow and wife, Ruth, of Spiro, Oklahoma; along with many extended family members, church families, and countless friends whose lives were forever changed through his ministry.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Coetta Sue Head; his daughter, Angel Renee Head; and his siblings, Lawrence Fox, Vonnie Fox, Louis Fox, Billie Babcock, Judy Dozier, Pat, and Betty.

Viewing will be Thursday, July 9, 2026 from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm at the Turner Funeral Home in Geary, OK

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 10, 2026, at Greenfield First Baptist Church with Rev. Lance Whaley officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Cemetery in Geary, Oklahoma.  services entrusted to Turner Funeral Home, Geary, Oklahoma. Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, turnerfh.net, or you can find us on facebook.com (Turner Funeral Homes).