Howard Noble, Jr. passed away April 25, 2026, at his home in Farmington, Missouri, after battling multiple illnesses in the past year. He was born in Manila, Arkansas on February 18, 1943, to Howard Noble, Sr. and Grace Era Simpson.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Bill Cavaness; and beloved canine companion, Shortie.

Howard is survived by three children, Jim Noble (Delta) of Santa Fe, NM, Tammy Wafler (Mark) of Farmington, and Melissa Moser (Ron) also of Farmington; grandchildren, Kelley McDaniel (Fred) of Santa Fe, NM, Keenan Noble, and Kody Noble both of Santa Fe, NM, Justin Moser, of Farmington, Meghan Halbrook (Tammy Sheehy) of Waynesboro, VA, Jill Moser of Farmington, and Austin Halbrook of Farmington; seven great-grandchildren, Kaegan McDaniel, Malem McDaniel, Judson Moser, Josey Moser, Jethro Moser, Lorelai Moser, Asher Halbrook; siblings, Linda Crew (Greg), Kathy Cavaness, Terry Noble (Thana), Kerry Noble (Anna), Jerry Noble (Sherry), Patricia Gamble (Damon), Steve Noble (Becky), Kenny Noble (Jennie); his sixteen year old beagle, Pennie. Numerous nieces, nephews and other family also survive.

He attended Rives Missouri Elementary, and graduated from Holland, Missouri. He attended Arkansas State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in American history with a minor in political science. He earned his master’s at Arkansas State University and did his post graduate work at Missouri State University in Columbia. Howard taught at Senath – Hornersville High School as a history and political science instructor. He then taught at Portageville High School in the history and political science department, before moving to Farmington, Missouri, where he taught history and political science from 1967 to 1974. During his time at Farmington, he was an assistant basketball coach from 1967 to 1974.

In 1974 he transferred to Mineral Area College, where he was a history and political science instructor. During that time, he was the chairperson of the Department of History and Political Science from 1984 to 1996. During his stay at MAC, he coached girls softball. After retiring from Mineral Area College, he returned as a history and political science adjunct professor from 1997 to 2003.

Throughout his tenure at MAC, he announced for their basketball program. He gained experience due to his radio broadcaster part-time work at KREI/KTJJ radio from 1972 to 1987, where he was the radio announcer for several different high school sports. He was also the official scorekeeper and keeper of statistics for the minor league team, the Firebirds. From 1988 to 1991 he was a member of the Missouri Humanities Council’s Missouri Speaker’s Bureau where he went all over the state giving speeches on history and other topics. From 1985 to 1991 he was a lecturer, elder hostel program, YMCA of the Ozarks. In his later years he served on the Farmington Missouri Library Council.

In addition, he was one of the founding directors that helped to get Upward Smiles up and running for our community. He served as their first president of the board. He served on that committee until he became ill. Since his passion was history, he was a member of the Fort Davidson Battlefield Protection Committee in Pilot Knob. He provided them with the necessary historical information for their National Park. All around Pilot Knob, you can see his work as he placed markers of historical information at all the crucial points in history.

Throughout his career he received the following awards, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Professor or the Year nominee, 1988-89; Mineral Area College Professor of the Year, 1988-89; Mineral Area College Phi Theta Kappa Professor of the Year, 1989-90; Minera Area College Phi Theta Kappa Professor of the Year, 1993-94.

Visitation will be held at the C.Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Home – Taylor Chapel in Farmington on Thursday, April 30, 2026 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Visitation will resume at the C.Z. Boyer & Son – Taylor Chapel on Friday, May 1, at 9:00 AM until the time of a funeral service at 10:00 AM with Chaplain Bob Crecelius officiating. Interment will follow at Knights of Pythias Cemetery in Farmington.