Roll Call Tribute

Howard Cecil Ham, Jr., Col. USAF (Ret) 

November 3, 1941 - November 7, 2025 

Born November 3, 1941 in Refugio, TX to H.C. Ham, Sr. & Thelma Lee “Curley” Coward Ham and died in San Antonio, TX on November 7, 2025. He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret; stepdaughter & step son-in-law, Heather and Mark Magarian, step grandsons, Maverick and Kingston Magarian of San Antonio.

He grew up in Matagorda County where he was active in 4-H and FFA graduating from Bay City High School in 1959. He held a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University and a Masters Degree from the Graduate School of Business of the Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln. Col Ham served nearly 27 years of active duty in the US Air Force. Among his decorations for service in the Vietnam War era are: The Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm and others. His last and long-awaited Texas assignment was Deputy Commander of Resources of the 96th Bomb Wing at Dyess AFB when the B-1B reached initial operational capability (IOC). Retiring in Feb 1992 with over 5,000 hours flying time in EC/KC/RC-135s, B-52G, and CT-39 aircraft.

He has resided in Bexar County since military retirement in 1991. He held affiliations in the Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Association of Former Students of Texas A&M, Texas Wildlife Association, S. Texas Area Farm & Ranch Club where he served as president in 1997-98. He was sponsored into the Daedalians by the late B/Gen "Tex” Hill and the late B/Gen Ken Keller; serving as Stinsons Flight’s Chairman for Scholarships a number of years. He was elected to the Order’s Board of Directors and served on the Joint Finance Committee for the Order and Foundation.

A licensed realtor since 1991, he also worked in the livestock feeds sector for over fourteen years. He served under appointment of Gov. Rick Perry on the Texas Military Preparedness Commission in 2007-2011. Served as superintendent at the Abilene West Texas fair and rodeo as liaison for Dyess Air Force Base. He also was elected to the Board of Directors of Texas Alliance of Land Brokers 2010-2012.

He was preceded in death by his parents, half brother Gordon D. Chadwell, his late former wife Patrizia Chicca Ham, Brother William C. Ham and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family will receive visitors at 11:30 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 12:30 p.m., on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough Ave. Interment with military honors will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and Catholic Charities.