Longtime Callahan resident and active volunteer Buford Howard and wife Freddie bid adieu to western Nassau.
The couple moved to Land O’Lakes, joining son Van. Son Ted plans to relocate there as well. A third son, Russell, lives in Fort Myers.
The Howards await the arrival of their remaining furniture in their new neighborhood in Pasco County.
“We wanted to be closer to our family and I wanted to get my wife her first new home,” Buford Howard told the Record Monday afternoon.
Howard reflected on his time in Callahan, arriving in the area in the 1970s. He served intermittingly on the town’s planning and zoning board for several years. He also served as code enforcement officer and provided citizen input for the Town of Callahan’s comprehensive plan.
“I really enjoyed it and had a lot of great friends and a great church,” he said. “And I enjoyed my years with the city and the Schwend Insurance agency.”
Each year Paul Schwend hosts a group of friends and family on the front porch of his business as they gather to watch the Greater Nassau County Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade. While standing on the porch, Howard could often be heard on a microphone, offering remarks and information on floats and bands as they pass by.
“Buford Howard is a great American,” Schwend said. “He is a wonderful community member. He donated his time and talents to the community.”
Schwend recalled the times Howard volunteered during the West Nassau Historical Society’s Railroad Day events. Schwend met Howard at parents Earl and Dorothy Schwend’s 25th wedding anniversary party.
“He’s been a wonderful member of our community and a wonderful friend,” Schwend said. “He’s even provided a steady and loving friendship since dad passed.”
Former Callahan Mayor Shirley Graham also has fond memories with Howard.
“He was actually the first person I met when I moved to Callahan,” Graham said. “Even then he was doing things for the town and he wasn’t getting paid for everything he did. He was a blessing to the town in more ways than one. You can always depend on him. If I had a question, he always took on the challenge to find the answer.”
She expressed admiration for his work ethic and community commitment.
“He’s fantastic to work with,” Graham said. “A little stubborn like me, but we always worked well together. I’m going to miss him. He really knows this town inside and out. I know this move is meant to be. We’re really losing a lot.”
Retired educator and coach Allen Kirk knew Howard for many years as he announced West Nassau High School’s Warrior football games.
“He’s a hardworking man, a fine family man and a Christian man,” he said. “He loves Callahan with a passion.”
Walter “Junior” Boatright began announcing football games in 1976, following his graduation from WNHS that spring. He and Howard spent many hours in the press box. Howard donated a new sound system to assist the team.
“The P.A. system was in pretty bad shape,” Boatright recalled. “But Mr. Buford was Johnny-on-the-spot and upgraded the sound system.”
The pair worked together off and on, announcing games for more than two decades.
“It was a lot of fun,” Boatright said, adding later, “He’s not only a big personality, but he’s somebody you can always count on. And he’s very caring in what he does.”
The former county commissioner said that Howard is always willing to help others.
“The community will miss him,” Boatright said. “I guarantee you he won’t be down there long before he’s involved in something.”
Howard plans to return to Callahan in the fall, lending a helping hand once again.
“We’ll be back up to do the sound (system) at the fair this year,” he said.