Howard Ray Stachey

On July 9, 2013, Howard Ray Stachey, Sr. left this life and began eternity with his Heavenly Father. He was eldest son of Grover Waldo and Minnie Gladys Stachey, born on March 24, 1926 in Story, Arkansas. He graduated from Mount Ida High School in 1943 and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944. He served as a Radioman, Third Class during World War II and was honorably discharged 1946. Thereafter he enlisted in the United States Army in 1948 and was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. During this time he began a courtship with Audie Alys Johnston and they were married on December 23, 1950. They were blessed with their first child Patricia Annette Stachey. Howard reached the rank of Sergeant and served as an instructor in Auto Mechanics. Once honorably discharged from the Army in 1952, the family relocated to Oxnard, California, where both their second daughter Pamela Jeanette Stachey and their son Howard Ray Stachey Jr. were born. Howard was employed for 50 years at Automobile Exchange in Oxnard, working and running the body shop. The family attended several Oxnard churches, the last being Nyeland Community Church under the leadership of Pastor “Bob” Carpenter and later Pastor Troy Welch. In later years, while caring for his wife, he worshiped at home watching services on television. He continued studying the Bible to his last days. He often spoke of his wife “Audie” calling her his personal Angel. Howard was a devoted father, grandfather and husband. He enjoyed “motor biking”, miniature golfing, playing ping pong, or bad mitten with his children and friends. He was a master on the BBQ grill in the summer. He was an NRA member and enjoyed target shooting, hunting, “hobbying” with his lathe to make things, gardening and watching his favorite baseball team the “Anaheim Angels“. Of utmost importance was his family and friends. He kept in touch and loved to spend time with everyone on the phone or in person, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Prior to Howard’s heart taking its final beat, he maintained his strength long enough for his family to pray and recite the Lord’s Prayer. Upon Amen, Howard took his final breath and went with the Lord. Howard was preceded in death by his daughter Patricia Annette Calucag; his loving wife Audie Alys Stachey; brother Willie “Button” Stachey and his mother and father. He is survived by his daughter Pamela Jeanette Hill (John Hill); Son Howard Ray Stachey Jr., Son-in-Law Steve Calucag (Angela Calucag); grandchildren Jesseca Calucag, Monica Hill and Bridget Stachey; great-grandchildren Jayshan Gaston, Eric Ferguson Jr., Raymond and Rianna Banks; sisters Martha McClung and Marilyn Williamson, as well as many other family members and friends. In celebration of Howard’s life, we will be gathering at the family home on August 3, 2013 at 1pm (3033 South Jackson St. Oxnard, California) to pay tribute to our father, friend and “Grampy”. Final internment for Howard and Audie will be at Reed Cemetery in Story, Arkansas. We invite all of Howard’s family and friends to join us.