Howard Dearing

Howard Russell Dearing, 77, passed away April 27, 2021, at home in Hamilton with his beloved wife and family by his side.

Funeral services were held May 1 at Riley Funeral Home in Hamilton, followed by interment with military honors in Gentry’s Mill Cemetery.

Born July 29, 1943, in Austin, Howard grew up in Austin and attended Austin High School. He studied briefly at Tarleton State University before enlisting in the U.S. Army.

A career soldier, Howard proudly served more than 22 years. He volunteered for two combat tours in Vietnam, served with the Army Security Agency and Special Forces, and led a company of more than 275 troops in Berlin during the height of the Cold War.

When he was selected for Sergeant Major, he turned down the promotion to retire as First Sergeant in 1984 so he and Bonita could remain in their home state of Texas for the rest of their days.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard L. and Jayne (Russell) Dearing, and his precious granddaughter, Kimberly.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Bonita; their four children and their spouses, Crystena and James Schneider of Leander, Cheryl and Mike Starich of Georgetown, Cliff and Laura Dearing of Comanche and Charles and Karen Dearing of Gatesville; six of his grandchildren, Cody, John, Jessica, Kacey, Nicholas and Desiree; and his four great-grandchildren, Skylar, Blake, Brooklyn and Emma.