WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The 25th Navajo Nation Council mourns the loss of former Council Delegate Freddie Howard, who died of natural causes at the age of 76, on Dec. 4.
Delegate Howard was born in Ganado, Arizona and was Tł’ízí lání (Many Goats), born for Áshįįhi (Salt People). He was first elected as a Council Delegate in 1979, representing the community of Tolani Lake.
On behalf of the 25th Navajo Nation Council, Speaker Crystalyne Curley offered the following statement to the family:
“The 25th Navajo Nation Council thanks the family of former Council Delegate Freddie Howard for selflessly sharing his life with the Navajo Nation, to serve the Nation and better the lives of those who lived in the communities he represented. We send our prayers and condolences to the family at this time.”
Howard was a veteran of the U.S. Army, he served as the Tolani Lake Chapter President, and he also worked for the Navajo Nation Division of Community Development. He is survived by four children and his wife, Dorothy.
Council Delegate Casey Allen Johnson (Cameron, Coalmine Canyon, Leupp, Tolani Lake, Tsidi To ii), who currently represents the Tolani Lake community as a member of the 25th Navajo Nation Council, also offered his condolences to the family of Howard.
“We honor Mr. Howard for his contributions to our Nation and we pray for strength and comfort for his family, friends, and former colleagues,” he said.
Howard’s son Lionel said his father was an advocate of education and building opportunities for the younger generations.
“He was a loving father and took care of us all,” Lionel said.
