Howard Isaac Chitwood

CHITWOOD — Howard Isaac, 88; born Feb. 18, 1926, Kissimmee, Fla.; died Aug. 1, 2014, Murfreesboro, Tenn. Surviving: wife, Dolores (Karl); daughters, JoAnne Chitwood, Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; Jennifer McNiel, Murfreesboro; 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Retired Chief Warrant Officer Howard Isaac Chitwood, (CWO-2) of Kissimmee, Fla., died Aug. 1, 2014. Chitwood served 20 years in the USCG at various posts from Annette Island and Eldred Rock, Alaska, to Nantucket Island, Mass. He loved his time in the Coast Guard, especially his years on an 83-foot Coast Guard sub chaser out of New Orleans, La. 

His greatest wish in his later years was to chronicle the impact his service to our country had on his life. In the year preceding his death, he wrote a book about his service experience, entitled “Under Direction.” It is available by writing to his daughter, JoAnne Chitwood, at 4770 Old Salem Rd., Rockvale, TN 37153. Mr. Chitwood also served as the executive director of a non-profit documentary about end-of-life care for veterans entitled “Honored to the End” which can be accessed through the website bordermountain.org

Chitwood was preceded in death by his son, David Howard Chitwood, who died on Sept. 19, 2004. He is survived by his wife, Dolores Karl Chitwood, and daughters JoAnne Chitwood, RN, of St. Croix, USVI, and Jennifer McNiel, RN, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He is also survived by six grandchildren: James and Jason Snow, Jonathan Chitwood, Laura Peters, and Jordan McNiel, and seven great-grandchildren: Hayden, Emily, Faith and Jay Snow, Micah Chitwood, and Everett and Violet Peters.

An active outdoor enthusiast, pilot, and sailor, he was known for his adventurous spirit, whether it be exploring the wilds of Alaska, making authentic snowshoes from scratch, creating Indian pack baskets, or building his own airplane and flying it. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.