Gary Monroe Howard

Gary Monroe Howard of Arvada, Colorado, age 88, passed away on December 13, 2025. He was born to the late Lloyd and Ione Howard on July 4th, 1937, in Mullen, Nebraska. Gary graduated from Arvada High School, Class of 1955. It was there that he met his future wife, Carole Lee Lotito. Gary and Carole were together for 70 years, being high school sweethearts and recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. After their wedding on November 10th, 1962, they settled in Wheat Ridge, but shortly thereafter, they moved to Arvada where they raised their family and remained proud, life-long residents and business owners.

Gary served in the National Guard and worked at Sunstrand before joining the Lotito family’s wholesale greenhouse business, where he ultimately became President and co-owner with his wife, Carole, until they both retired in 2004. During his time as Head Grower at Lotito Greenhouses, Gary won several awards from the Colorado Greenhouse Growers Association, the Garden Centers of Colorado and the Wholesale Florists of Colorado for his prize-winning Chrysanthemums exhibited at the 1991 and 1992 Rocky Mountain Horticultural EXPO. In 1992, he took home First Prize in the “Best of the West” flower judging contest.

After retiring, Gary and Carole enjoyed time at their home which they designed and built in Silverthorne, Colorado. Gary liked nothing more than to sit on the deck with a cup of coffee, admiring the view of the Ten Mile Range and looking for wildlife in the open meadow below his property. He also took great pride in his part-time job, driving vans and shuttles for Colorado Mountain Express. Gary never missed an opportunity to engage his passengers in conversation and share his knowledge of Colorado and the mountains. As 4th of July was his birthday, Gary celebrated Independence Day each year with gusto, hosting many parties over the years with countless family and friends.

Gary enjoyed reading, traveling, playing cards and games, puzzles, the mountains, fireworks displays, music, the Denver Broncos, a tasty green chili plate, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and being ornery. He had a sweet-tooth, and he couldn’t resist a good chocolate chip cookie or any kind of pie or brownie a la mode. He read the newspaper every day and always had a current event, joke or quip at-the-ready to share in conversation with his family and friends.

Gary is survived by his wife, Carole Lotito Howard; four daughters, Michelle Howard (Thomas Cross), Christine Keith, Ginamarie Bloomquist, Nicole Stegink (Jeff Wilson); eight grandchildren, Madison Keith, Meghan Keith, Laurent Bloomquist (Caity Constien), Andrew Keith (Morgan), Tesfanesh Keith, Bizunesh Keith, Lena Keith and Mark Keith; and three great-grandchildren, Parker Nall, Conner Nall and soon to be born baby girl Bloomquist-Constien.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Broomfield United Methodist Church, The Colorado Children’s Chorale or the Colorado Symphony. A memorial service to celebrate Gary’s life will be held Thursday, February 12th, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Broomfield United Methodist Church with a reception to follow. There will be a private graveside ceremony for the immediate family.

For Gary’s many friends across Colorado and the United States, a streaming option of his Celebration of Life will be available. Please let the family know by February 5, 2026 at the email address below if you plan to attend the streaming service so the invite link can be sent to you. If you wish to share a memory, photo, or express your sympathy to the family, please email gmhow41@yahoo.com, and messages will be relayed to the family.