Published: March 19, 2008 12:07 pm      

Longtime Ada businessman, civic leader dies at age 89

Ada — A longtime Ada business man and civic leader, C. B. Howard, 89, died Tuesday at his home.

Mr. Howard spent much of his time in economic development for Ada, and was active in recruiting numerous industries while serving as president of the Ada Industrial Development Corporation.

He was presented an award as Economic Development Citizen of the Year 2001 for the state of Oklahoma and has received many awards in various fields for his efforts for more than 50 years. He began working for the First National Bank and Trust Company of Ada (now Vision Bank) on July 5, 1951. He started as proof operator, and advanced through the various banking positions to president and chairman of the board.

The Ada Area Chamber of Commerce presented him a lifetime achievement award in 2000 for his service to the Ada community.

The chamber also selected him chamber leader of the decade in 1990. He was a charter member and the first chairman of the Ada Housing Authority. He served on that board 42 years. He was a member of the AIDC board for 40 years and was president from 1982-2007.

His involvement resulted in the employment of hundreds of people in the Ada area. He was instrumental in encouraging the Chickasaw Nation to locate its headquarters in Ada. He was former president of the Ada Area Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Ada Jobs Foundation. He was a former president of the Kiwanis Club and chairman of the United Way and Red Cross. He was active in the March of Dimes and Boys Scouts and served on the Pontotoc County Mental Health board, and was active in the campaign to establish a vo-tech school in Ada.

Mr. Howard was instrumental in the Wintersmith Amphitheater project, and helped launch the Wintersmith Park Christmas Lighting Project. He was a member of Oak Hills Golf and Country Club and Primetimers, and a member of the Oklahoma Banking Association’s board of directors. He was a long time member of Southwest Church of Christ.

Complete obituary is on page 2 of today’s paper.