Howard Charles Vining, age 92, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather, and a friend to many, went to be with the Lord on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, with family at his bedside.

Howard was born on March 23, 1931, in Aberdeen to Julius and Minnie Vining of Tokeland, where his father was a commercial fisherman. Howard graduated from Ocosta High School in 1949 and married his high school sweetheart, Jeanette Miller, in 1950. She preceded him in death in 2017. In 1951 Howard, Jeanette and children moved to Brookings, Oregon where he worked in the plywood mill and then bought his first commercial fishing boat, “Gal.”

In 1968 Howard, Jeanette and family moved back to Westport after buying the fishing vessel, “Thora S.” In 1974 he built the fishing vessel “Trinity” in Blaine, Washington. He then added the fishing vessel “June Rose” for shrimp fishing and then in 1992 he and Gary had the “Pacific Dove” built in the Gulf of Mexico.

Howard enjoyed riding horses since he was young, (he always wanted to be a cowboy). He often told the story of riding a borrowed horse up the beach from Tokeland to date Jeanette, who lived in North Cove. He enjoyed taking the family camping up the river in Brookings between fishing trips.

Howard was a faithful member of the Bible Church and the Assembly of God Church in Brookings Oregon. When he moved to Westport, he became a member of the Open Bible Church in Aberdeen and then became a member of the South Beach Christian Center in Grayland, where he helped build a new church building.

Howard and Jeanette began traveling in their RV when he retired from fishing. His best friend, Ronnie Cowles, and his wife, Liisa, joined them and traveled several places together across the United States.

Howard and Jeanette became “Snow Birds” and made their home at Sky Valley, California during the winter months. Many life-long friendships developed over the 30 years they spent there. Friends gathered at their home to play “Skip- bo” most nights of the week.

Playing horseshoes was Howard’s favorite pass time at Sky Valley. He was the “Horseshoe Champion,” earning first place in one of the annual Horseshoe Tournaments, which was one of the highlights of his life. He was always out at the horseshoe pit by 7 a.m., getting it ready for the morning games. He gained many friends during his years enjoying this sport.

Howard was known for his generosity for what the Lord had blessed him with, whether it was from the vegetables in his garden to seafood. He always wanted to give to people, it gave him so much joy. You would always find him listening to Country Music and Old Hymns when he would be working at his work bench or outside. Later on, he would listen all day to his “Google Lady,” who would play what ever he asked of her.

He shared his love of the Lord and always gave God praise throughout his life for the joy he experienced. Howard always had the biggest smile that welcomed people into his life.

Howard is survived by his sister, June Summers of Cosmopolis, children, Gary (Lloydyne) of Westport, Gayle Staggs of Westport, Debra (Chris) Johnson of Grayland, 8 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great- granddaughter.

A celebration of life will be on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at 1 p.m. at South Beach Christian Center, 1360 SR 105, Grayland, Washington.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the South Beach Christian Center building fund.