from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Raymond Howard, 70, of Bensonville, Ill., formerly of Bledsoe, Ky., died July 9, 2011, at the home of his brother in Bledsoe following a brief illness.

Mr. Howard was a self-employed plastic producer and a long-time Chicago horse owner and member of the USTA.

He made his first foray into the harness racing business in 1982 at Sportsman’s Park. Two of the first horses he campaigned were Winsome Losesome p,5,1:59.1f ($83,589) and Pirate Patch p,Q2:02.3h ($22,085). He would go on to own and race 65 horses through the next four decades.

Some of his top horses included Openup ‘N Sayah p,4,1:54.4f ($327,187); Dan-Sin-Over p,1:57.3f ($137,506); Festivus p, 1:50.4 ($229,273); Monster Of Midway p,1:54.4f ($259,080); and Mercedes Hanover p,4,1:56.2f ($159,905).

Mr. Howard had horses with a number of different trainers over the years but had been with Maywood Park-based conditioner Steve Weiss for the past decade. His most recent winner is the pacer Darn Skippie p,3,1:53.3h ($57,938).

He is survived by his brothers, Gillis and Crit (Marlene) Jr.; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Crit Sr. and Catherine; brothers, Burley and James; sisters; Euna, Verna, Elsie Stanfill and Lois Faye Smith.

Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, July 16, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Mount Pleasant Funeral Home with Vikran Reddy officiating. Burial will follow at Brown Cemetery in Bledsoe, Ky. The family will serve as pallbearers. Visitation will be on Friday, July 15, from 5-8 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Funeral Home.