Howard Edward Loveless, a member of an old-time pioneer ranch family in southeastern Concho County, quietly departed to his heavenly home on November 24, 2025. Howard was born in Brady, McCulloch County, Texas, on December 27, 1936. He was the son of Will Loveless and Grace Ophelia (Pearson) Loveless. He was the fifth child of six children. He was reared in Concho County, Texas.
Howard graduated from Eden High School in 1955 where he was president of his senior class. He became a member of Eden First Baptist Church in 1946. Howard and his brother, Will Ray, took an interest in cattle in grade school, and at the age of 12, he exhibited his first 4-H club steer under the direction of Mr. Ed Whitesides who was the Concho County Extension Agent at that time.
Howard is a graduate of San Angelo Junior College, Class of 1957, with an Applied Arts degree. While attending “SAC,” he was a member of the Concho Aggies, was a member of a winning livestock judging team traveling to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1957, and was a student council representative.
On his birthday on December 27, 1958, he took his high school sweetheart, Margaret Rose Jesse, to be his bride. They have been married for 67 years.
In 1960, Howard received his B.A. degree with a major in Finance from Texas Technological College in Lubbock, Texas. While at Tech, Howard was a charter member of Phi Alpha Kappa finance honorary fraternity.
Howard spent six months active duty with the U.S. Army in 1959 in Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. He then spent five and one-half years with the National Guard of Texas in a rifle company in the 36th Infantry Division.
In 1960, following graduation from Tech, Howard returned to Eden to join his father in the ranching business. His father passed away in 1962, and Howard continued ranching with the estate until 1969 when he began his own independent ranching operation.
During his years in ranching and business, Howard served on various boards and committees including the Concho County Community ASC Committee, Concho County Board of Equalization, Concho Central Appraisal District Board, and trustee on the Eden ISD School Board. In 1964, Howard became a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Eden where he held various offices in Aid Association for Lutherans Branch 1648. He also served on the board of the Eden Youth Center and the Barrow Museum in Eola, Texas.
In 1975, a board was established for the Loveless Cemetery of which Howard was a member and subsequently President.
In 1978, Howard was appointed by Gov. Dolph Briscoe to serve on the Lower Concho River Water and Soil Conservation Authority. Also in that year, he served as Concho County Clements for Governor Campaign Chairman. In 1979, he served as Concho County Finance Chairman for Gov. Clements. He was a member of the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association and the Texas Farm Bureau, and he served on the board of the Concho County Farm Bureau.
Howard considered himself one of the most fortunate people on earth because he could work at a job he loved. He raised Angus cattle, Rambouillet sheep, Angora goats, and later, Spanish/Boer cross goats. He loved his livestock and took care of each one as his own child. He was a true conservationist in his belief and in his ranching interests. He respected the land and its resources and greatly loved live oak trees. He did not take his blessings for granted.
Howard was very generous in caring for his family of four. In the summer of 1992, the family toured Europe by car visiting points of interest in France, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. Also, London, England and surrounding areas including South Wales, Great Britain.
Howard is survived by his wife, Margaret Rose (Jesse) Loveless, of Eden; his son, David Conn Loveless, of Bountiful, Utah; his daughter, Karen Rose Loveless, of Eden; one grandson, David’s son Dawson Conn Loveless and wife Destiny, of Knoxville, Tennessee; four sisters: Mrs. Glenda Leifeste, of Eden; Mrs. Mary Grace Patton, of Kerrville, Texas; Mrs. Carolyn Moody, of Eden; and Miss Ana Frances Loveless, of Eden; as well as 16 nieces and 14 nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Will and Grace Ophelia (Pearson) Loveless; his brother and sister-in-law, Will Ray and Cecilia Loveless; and three brothers-in-law: Bill Leifeste, Ronald A. Patton, and Wendell Moody.
After Howard became aware of his diagnosis, as a way of saying good-bye, he made a list of names of his special friends. If he missed your name and you have fond memories, consider your name among those listed. You know who you are.
Pallbearers: Steve Moody, Smokey Taylor, Scott Sorrell, Rick Troglin, Don Barfknecht, Shawn Brewster.
Special Friends: Troy Allen Choat, Tim Brewster, Owen Gray, Jesse Johnson, Jimmy Johnson, Jerri Johnson, Dr. John Hunt, Jaun Barba, Garrett Ellis, Paul Leifeste, Larry Patton, Adam Torres.
Special Neighbors: Tony Barfknecht, Ban Green, Alan Osburn, Mark Osburn.
Special thanks to Dr. A. Taylor Kingman, Shannon Hospital 4 South staff, Hospice of San Angelo, and Brady West Rehab and Nursing.
A public viewing will be held at Eden Funeral Home from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm on Monday, December 1, 2025. Howard’s memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Eden at 2:30 pm with a private burial in the Loveless Cemetery.
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