Howard Neal Morphew, a longtime Cleveland resident, passed away on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at his sister's home in Zalma, Missouri.  Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 11, 2020 at the Yale Assembly of God, Yale, Oklahoma.

Howard Neal Morphew was born on December 27, 1961, in Pawnee, Oklahoma, to Robert Neal Morphew and Verneice June (Reese) Morphew.

Howard attended Davenport Public Schools for 13 years where he was a standout athlete in football, basketball and baseball. Some of his fondest childhood memories were of family vacations and time spent hanging out with his friends hunting, fishing, golfing and the fun times at the Mattheyer's cabin.

Howard married his high school sweetheart Karen Jean Burrows on June 7, 1980. During their 11-year marriage two daughters were born: Nicole Janel and Jessica Renea.

Howard worked in the oil and gas industry for many years as well as hang sheetrock in the Rip Burrows Drywall family business. Howard's one true passion in life was golf. In the late 1980's he purchased and ran the pro shop at the Drumright Golf Course. He achieved his lifelong dream of qualifying for the PGA while there, however he never joined the tour as he chose to stay home with his family.

In the early 1990's Howard moved to Cleveland, Oklahoma, to live near his parents. Most days you could find all three of them at the Cleveland Golf Course in some very heated competitions! As Howard's health declined following a terrible vehicle accident he could no longer work or swing a golf club, yet this did not keep him from earning a living giving lessons to many doctors and others who frequented the Cleveland Golf Course.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents, brother Mike Lorren Morphew, brother-in-law Rodney Bowling and nephew James Robert Morphew.

Howard is survived by two sisters: Teri Ann Morphew of Lawton, Oklahoma, and Judy LaVern Bowling of Zalma, Missouri; two daughters Nicole (Morphew) Beeler and husband Kyle of Cushing, Oklahoma, and Jessica (Morphew) Smith and husband Brandon of Conway, Arkansas; four grandchildren – Eli Clayton and Austin, Tinley and Brody Smith; five step-grandchildren – Samantha, Logan, Chandler, Kaizley and Kaliber Beeler; one step-great grandson Kamden Beeler; as well as other family members and friends.