Howard L. Victor Jr.

June 29, 1952-June 24, 2017

Former Homer resident Howard Luverne Victor, Jr., 64, of Indianola, Iowa, died June 24, 2017, after a short battle with cancer. Howard was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 29, 1952, to Margie (Salyers) Dryer, Howard and Wanda Victor.

In 1963 his family moved to a farm near Indianola, Iowa, where he spent his childhood raising chickens, cattle and Pony of the Americas (POAs). Howard loved the farm and showed POAs for years. Howard graduated from Indianola High School in 1971. He was a wrestler and a football player that never lost a game. During his adult life he held many jobs including working at Wilson Foods for 10 years and owning a hog farm near Milo, Iowa.

Howard met the love of his life, Rebecca, and they were married in 1982. Soon after their wedding the couple moved to Homer, Alaska, where they resided for 25 years. During his time in Alaska he worked as a mechanic and as an ice road trucker for 20 years in the Kuparuk Oil Fields. He was an avid fisherman and also enjoyed hunting, trapping and being outdoors. He loved to drive fast whether is was on his snowmachine or on his Harley; a straightaway was a perfect sight.

In 2006 Howard moved back to Indianola, Iowa, and started his own vineyard. Victor Rose Vineyard was voted the best in Iowa in 2017. He was very proud of that.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Letitia Young.

Howard leaves behind his wife of 35 plus years, Rebecca (Swank) Victor; daughter, Anna (Scott) O’Connor; grandsons, Darin and Dane; one brother, Dan (Debbie) Victor’ two sisters, Becky Victor-Baker and Jill (Tony) Mauro; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends in Iowa and Alaska.

Everybody loved Howard. He will be missed.