Buda Oaks celebrates very own centenarian

BUDA — U.S. Army Air Corps Veteran Howard Southwell has witnessed a lot of history in his lifetime, but now, he is creating his own by turning 100.

Born in Austin in 1924, Howard described his childhood just like everyone else’s. The oldest child in his family, he explained that they woke up, ate breakfast and goofed around like all families do. After graduating high school in 1941, he began working in the aviation industry.

At the time, the draft was still in effect due to the ongoing war, so Howard said that he decided to go in on his own accord in 1942, which led him to serve in multiple places in the South Pacific, beginning in New Guinea and working his way up to Japan.

His life truly began after he was discharged in 1946, when he met his wife and love of his life, Mary Jane Edmiston at church. Reminiscing on the memory of their early years together, Howard shed tears thinking about his late wife. Together, the pair had three sons, Howard Jr. (Butch), Stephen and Gregory and a daughter, Janice.

Butch shared that he has many great memories with his father. One of which is their family vacations to Camp Ben McCulloch, where they’d camp and go fishing and swimming in the creek. The next morning, they would all share breakfast made by their father: “He always had time for us.”

Howard’s oldest son also explained his father was always extremely independent, until a stroke in late November 2023. Prior to this medical incident, he was still living life normally, even driving, said Butch, but after, they all felt it was safer if he was to reside where he could have help, leading them to his current home at Buda Oaks Assisted Living & Memory Care. The community is holding a celebration to honor their very own “centenarian.”

“It’s something that a lot of people don’t do, [turning 100],” Howard said. “[I just want] to be with my friends and my family — be with them, that’s all.”
For his special day, he also joked that a big “fudgey looking” cake would be wonderful.

“He’s a pretty incredible person,” said Butch. “He’s quite a warrior … Growing up, I thought everybody’s parents were alike, but soon realized that they weren’t. He’s just a really super example about how someone should live their life.”

 

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