Howard Atkins

Howard Atkins 

 William “Howard” Atkins II passed away April 4, 2014 from complications of pancreatic cancer.

Born on May 14, 1938 in Oklahoma City, OK, Howard lived in Norman, OK until 1967. He graduated from Norman High School in 1956 and the University of Oklahoma in 1960.

He married Judy Murrell in 1963 (divorced 1978) and they moved to Denver, CO in 1967. He married Carol Homburger in 1986.

Howard was a CPA in Oklahoma and Colorado, and an auditor from 1968 – 1994, in the Colorado State Auditor's Office.

Howard was a real Okie at heart and in recent years spent much time at his childhood home in Norman, Oklahoma. He also loved his adopted state of Colorado and explored it by motorcycling and camping and especially liked the Estes Park area. He enjoyed sailing his boat and traveling around the country in his RV. He played French horn in the Denver Concert Band for more than 20 years and was a member of the Mostly Strauss Orchestra.

As a young member of the Naval Reserve he went on several memorable cruises to the Caribbean and Peru. In later years Howard and Carol were able to take some wonderful trips to Hawaii, Alaska and around Great Britain and Europe, but the trip that he remembered with such fondness was when he drove the Alaska Highway with daughter Lisa and family to their home in Palmer, AK.

He is preceded in death by his father, William Howard Atkins M.D., his mother, Ruth Stricklin Atkins, and his sister Frances “Eliska” Atkins, M.D.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Atkins of Denver, CO, his sister Linda (John) Desmond of Walla Walla, WA and his three children, son William “Bill” Howard Atkins III of Palmer, Alaska, daughter Amy (Drew) Homburger of Denver, CO and their children Liam and Sophia and daughter Lisa (Jim) Lackey of Palmer, Alaska and their son Tanner.

He is also survived by a wonderful blended family created when he married Carol. They include Phil and Debbie Homburger of Denver, CO and their children, Erin, Heidi, Ashley, and Adam; Dave and Michele Homburger of Evergreen, CO and their children Leah, Sean, and Molly; Steve Homburger and Teresa Sparkman of Denver, CO and their children Jason (Natalie) Young and Katie Young; Andrew and Amy Homburger of Denver, CO and their children Liam and Sophia.

Donations may be made in Howard's memory to Project Angel Heart or The YMCA of the Rockies.

An informal celebration of Howard's life will be held at 2:00 pm on May 31st at the home of Phil Homburger. All of his friends are invited to join and share their memories. Please call Carol at 303-759-5298 to RSVP and for more information.