Howard Orozco Harris

USMC Sgt. Howard Orozco Harris, 58, of Dale, Texas went home to be with his Lord on Sunday, June 23, 2024. Howard was welcomed there by his father USMC Gunnery Sgt. Robert Harris and mother Airman First Class Aseneth (Ozzie) Harris. During his youth, Howard loved learning about his Native American bloodline, participating in powwows as well as earning his Eagle Scout rank in 1983. He was active in his family’s Baptist Church and graduated in 1984 from Travis High School in Austin. After high school graduation, he entered the Marines 01 OCT 1984 and remained on active duty until 08 APR 1994. He served in multiple deployments in Korea, Philippines Australia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Somalia, Hong Kong and Okinawa. At Camp Pendleton, he served as a member of the 1st Marine Division, Mounted Color Guard, where he also participated several times in the Camp’s rodeo exhibitions. Other assignments included 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion Bravo company, Alpha company, and in Okinawa in the 3rd Marine division Combat Assault Battalion. Howard was the recipient of many awards, some of which include: combat action ribbon with 2 stars, national defense medal, Navy achievement medal with a V for Valor, sea service deployment ribbon with 3 stars, a meritorious unit citation, Naval unit citation, Kuwait liberation medal, Kuwait liberation medal from Saudi Arabia, Korea defense service medal, good conduct medal, southwest Asia service medal with 3 stars, Armed Forces expeditionary medal, Joint meritorious unit commendation with 1 star, and expert rifle qualification. When he returned to civilian life, Howard continued to demonstrate the same qualities at home that his Marine brothers saw: courage and commitment to others through acts of kindness and incredibly considerate gestures. Working as an EMT, he never met a stranger. If someone ever asked for a shirt, Howard would quickly hand him his own and then look for another one in his closet to give that one away too. As a disciple of Jesus, he also saw the good in every person, putting others ahead of his own needs. His guitar was ever present as he praised his Lord and Savior, often with original compositions. His admiration and love for horses was well known. He longed to have a working ranch where he would be able to provide a safe place for all to ride and discover the joy of having a horse as your soulmate. He will be laid to rest with full military honors at Fort Sam Houston Cemetery on 11 JUL 2024. A special note of appreciation to high school classmate Robert Falcon, owner of Affordable Burial & Cremation Service, who handled all the funeral arrangements. Howard is survived by his cousins Christina (Mark) McVeigh; Rebecca (David) Hubbard and their daughter, Emily; Samuel Orozco (Brooke) and their children Lucie. Karolein, and Micah. Second cousins include Nora (David) McMillan, Isela Bueler, Garry Moore, and James Barbaree. From his wide “adopted family” are his Aunt Carol Loven and her children Patsy (Bart) Pelton and John (Nancy) Loven; Cheryl (Dan) Thomas and their children Sarah and Chris; PooMoe “Kitten” (Michael) Garrett; and Debbie (Thomas) Smoot. Howard was always at home surrounded by animals he loved as his companions, who now have new loving homes. Many people who helped Howard at the Crazy H Ranch are too numerous to mention, but a special shout out to friends Tracye Sheffield of Austin, Jerry Dodgen of Dale, and Roger Solomon of Red Rock. Howard will be missed by all his Marine brothers, who truly were family to him, checking on him and praying with him and for him. Memorial donations may be made to Bateman Baptist Church, PO Box 340, Red Rock, TX 78662. You are also invited to leave a memory of Howard at his Veterans Legacy Memorial page handled by the U.S. Veterans Administration at https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/HOWARDOROZCOHARRIS/a6f621.

Howard Orozco Harris

December 31, 1965 - June 23, 2024