Howard Kent Muldrow, 90, of Garden Grove, CA (formerly of St. Charles, MO), passed away at 4:20 AM (PDT) on Friday, June 27, 2025, in Orange, CA. Friends and family affectionately called him “Howie”.
Mr. Muldrow was born on December 4, 1934, in Hannibal, MO. He was the second of three children born to Harold Martin Muldrow and Effie George (Lewis) Muldrow. His early childhood years were spent in Palmyra, MO and Brookfield, MO, before the family moved to La Crosse, WI, where he spent his pre-teen and teenage years. Mr. Muldrow often referred to his years spent in Wisconsin as the most memorable years of his life while growing up. He later moved with his family back to Hannibal, MO, and graduated from Hannibal High School in 1952.
Following his graduation, Mr. Muldrow attended Hannibal-LaGrange College in Hannibal and later transferred to Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy (now named Missouri University of Science and Technology) in Rolla, MO. He graduated from Rolla with a Bachelor of Science degree in Metallurgical Engineering in 1957. Following his graduation, Mr. Muldrow was hired as an Engineer at Mallinckrodt Chemical Works in St. Louis, MO. Among his duties at Mallinckrodt was uranium purification. He later moved to another engineering position of Plant Foreman at the Winchester Division of Olin Corporation in East Alton, IL, where he worked to improve the overall quality of brass casings for ammunition and to improve overall operations of the brass mill. He worked for Olin for 35 years before retiring in 1999. He was also a member of the American Society of Metals (ASM International).
In addition to being a dedicated engineer, Mr. Muldrow was also a dedicated Christian believer. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of 8 and remained a faithful believer and student of the Bible for the remainder of his life. After moving to St. Louis, he was an active member at Third Baptist Church in St. Louis, MO, Star Hope Baptist Church in Elsberry, MO, Calvary Church in St. Charles, MO, Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church in Wildwood, MO, and Grace Community Chapel in St. Peters, MO. While attending Third Baptist Church, he served as an Assistant Youth Pastor, was a member of the Board of Education, and met his future wife, the former June Holley, whom he married in 1964. Their son, Kyle, was born in 1965.
Mr. Muldrow loved outdoor activities, especially bicycling, hunting, and fishing. He also was a collector of rifles and World War II memorabilia. Along with his wife, he loved teaching children’s Sunday School classes and greeting people prior to worship services in the various churches he attended, along with attending and leading several adult Bible study classes.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents; his loving wife of 45 years, June (Holley) Muldrow; and his brother, Lewis Martin Muldrow, of Lake Forest, IL.
He is survived by his son, Kyle Muldrow, and his wife, Elvia Muldrow, of Garden Grove, CA; his sister, Suzanne Williamson, and her husband, Bob Williamson, of Lawrenceville, NJ; his sister-in-law, Judy Holley, of Lakewood, CO; a niece, Holley Izard, of Greenville, TX, and many more nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are planned for Saturday, July 26, at Star Hope Baptist Church in Elsberry, MO, with Pastor Steven Bradshaw officiating. Burial will be at Star Hope Cemetery immediately following the service.