Mr Howard E. Stearns Jr.'s Obituary
Howard Eugene Stearns Jr., 64, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and coach passed away on Monday, February 3, 2020. Howard, also known as “Coach Stearns,” was born on August 28, 1955, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is the son of Howard Eugene Stearns Sr., and the late Olga Stearns.
Coach Stearns was a well respected football coach who coached football for over 30 years. He coached at multiple schools on the college and high school level which can include Eastern New Mexico University (Portales New Mexico), Alabama A&M University (Normal Alabama), Benedict College (Columbia South Carolina), Eastern Arizona College (Thatcher Arizona), Lanett High School (Lanett Alabama), Forest Park High School (Forest Park Georgia) and Dougherty County High School (Albany Georgia). Throughout his coaching career, Coach Stearns was always willing to help anyone who needed a helping hand. He always came across as a tough, no none-sense individual but for those that knew “Coach” understood that Coach Stearns would do anything to help any and every person that crossed his path. Coach Stearns always emphasized sportsmanship, fairness, dedication and commitment, teamwork, humility, confidence, respect and the value of hard work among those individuals closest to him.
Coach Stearns is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Dawn Stearns; Father Howard Eugene Stearns Sr of Hollywood Alabama; Four Children; Deanna and Michael Richards of Douglasville, Georgia, Tiffany and Javad Watson of Fort Myers, Florida, Tirzhana Stearns of Valley, Alabama and Jamaal and Deedra Stearns of Atlanta, Georgia; Nephew David Stearns of Hollywood, Alabama; Nine Grandchildren, Jamiya Richards, James Richards Jr., Deyante Bennett, Valencia Bennett, Jada Richards, Terrance Bennett Jr., Jamaal Stearns Jr., Christian Richards and Jaylen Stearns; and a host of relatives, friends and former players.
He is preceded in death by his mother Olga Stearns, sister Rosemary Stearns, and nephew Preston Stearns.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.rudderfuneralhomes.com
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