Obituary: Moffatt, John Howard
Age 98
He was born November 24, 1916, in Shelby, Montana to Jack and Anna Moffatt.
As a young boy Howard developed a love for horses.
He said leaving his horse behind in Montana was the hardest thing he ever did when he moved with his siblings to Spokane at age 15.
He graduated from Rogers High School in 1935, where he met the love of his life, Wilma.
They married in 1941.
Howard enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed in Washington, Tennessee, Georgia, Massachusetts and California.
He served as a Crew Chief Mechanic on propeller planes during WWII.
In 1966, Howard and Wilma returned to Spokane, eventually settling on a homestead in Colbert with horses.
Howard worked for the postal service and was known as the friendliest mail carrier in the area.
Ever the avid horseman, he was a member of and rode in the Gentleman on Horseback Ride.
Howard took pride in being a hard worker and keeping his property in tip top shape.
He helped develop the Selkirk ski area on Mt.
Spokane and was active in the Selkirk Ski Club.
In 1985, he ran his first Bloomsday, which became an annual tradition, winning his age group (90-99) in 2007 and 2008.
Howard was the last of the ten Moffatt children.
He was also preceded in death by his wife, Wilma, who passed away in 1995.
He is survived by his two daughters, Sheryl Lynn Andrakin (Mead) and Lorna Rae (Larry) Bruya (Pullman), as well as five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Honor Flight cause.
A potluck and celebration of life will be held on Friday, June 12 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Bear Lake, North 29601 Newport Highway, Chattaroy, WA.