Howell Frank (Pepper) Vineyard, 91 of Oklahoma City, OK passed peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on May 2, 2023.
He was a very loving husband, Daddy and Papo. Pepper is survived by his wife of 64 years, Linda, daughter Tina and husband Keith, son Hank and wife Cheryl. He had 8 grandchildren: Angela Strode, Brian Schroeder and wife Rosh, Laura Brady and husband Mark, Elizabeth Isbill and husband Rowdy, Alan Brawdy and wife Sarah, Jordan Vineyard, Billy Vineyard & Danny Vineyard. Pep also had 8 great grandchildren: Jack Strode, Taylor Strode, Logan Isbill, Owen Isbill, Grayson Brady, Sadie Isbill, Benjamin Brady & Anoushka Schroeder.
Pep was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Jewell Vineyard of Comanche and his daughter Lisa Vineyard of Tennessee.
Pepper was an only child, born and raised in Comanche, but was never alone having grown up with many cousins that were like brothers & sisters to him. Howell picked up the nickname “Pepper” after the baseball player Pepper Martin while growing up in Comanche and the name stayed with him throughout his life.
He graduated Class of 1954 with a degree in agriculture from Texas A&M.
He met Linda (my Darlin) the love of his life May of 1958. They were married October 10, 1958. Linda’s mother described Pepper as a “Keeper”.
Pep worked as a teacher and coach in Iredell, TX and Colorado City, TX. During his teaching career he was awarded three National Science Foundation Scholarships – Advanced Chemistry, Micro Biology and Bacteriology. In 1965 he left teaching and moved to the big city of Dallas to work for Travelers Insurance as a Safety Engineer and later moved into management. His 30-year career with Travelers moved him from Dallas to Nashville and back to Dallas where he retired in 1993.
“Papo” was described by his grandkids as “bigger than life” and each one had a special place in his heart and what special memories they each have of him. This love continued to flow down to his great grandchildren as well.
He will forever be known as the biggest Aggie fan. The family always teased them both if Texas A&M played Tiddlywinks on TV they would sit together and watch it.
You finally got ALL of us in Aggie shirts!
We miss you and will forever love you.
A special thank you to Valir Hospice Care of Oklahoma City. Your kindness, compassion and love for our family during this time has been incredible. We feel you have been such a big part in keeping Pepper/Daddy/Papo comfortable.
