Howard Harold Ebersole

Howard Harold Ebersole lived a full, beautiful and adventurous Life. Howard was born on January 07 1929 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Arthur and Treacle Ebersole. It was the same year Babe Ruth hit his 500th home Run. We found this apropos because Howard was always considered a homerun by all that knew him. He was born into the Great Depression, which we feel may have been a pleasant diversion by God to offset a nation’s gloom. He was the youngest of three siblings and enjoyed a modest, often barefoot, childhood that included tending the family garden, playing homemade games and making a splash in the local swimming hole, skinny dipping with childhood friends. Howard moved to the warmer climate of California in Late 1943 and entered Hamilton High School as a 10th grader. He enjoyed sports and joined the football, wrestling and swimming Teams. His athleticism won him the wrestling champion in his weight class in a high school of 2,200 students. He also picked up various jobs to help out the family finances and landed one job at a pie shop which, no doubt, played a role in his lifelong appreciation for sweets of all types. After graduating High school he took on odd jobs including everything from Ranch-handing, to cleaning towers in the oil fields of Southern California. In 1947, with the recommendation of a close friend, a mild exaggeration of his shipping background, and his charming personality, Howard joined the United States Merchant Marines. An occupation that took him to faraway lands to include Shanghai, Hong Kong, Philippines, Japan, Pompeii and the Coast of Borneo to cross the equator. It was at this time he learned the knot tying craft of Macrame’, a hobby he enjoyed throughout his life. Howard established many friendships and became a competent Seaman during his time as a Merchant Marine. In 1950 the Korean War was just getting under way and Uncle Sam came calling. Howard was inducted into the U. S. Army and made his way to the front lines in 1951. As a Squad Leader on the front line of the 38th parallel, Howard witnessed the absolute ugliest aspects of war. He experienced horrors that no person ever should and was wounded in action by a close encounter with a grenade that severely injured his right hand. Howard documents all of this in detail in his book Howard's Memoirs. He was awarded a Purple Heart along with a piece of souvenir shrapnel that was removed from his hand during surgery and was honorably discharged several months thereafter. In 1954 Howard joined the Los Angeles Police Department. He proved his worth as an on-foot beat cop/ a car patrolman / and behind the desk answering phones, editing tickets and a numerous variety of staff projects. His Superior Officers recognized Howards adeptness for all of his duties and he was offered three prestigious positions simultaneously. Law Teacher in the Academy, a position in the Traffic Education Unit and the opportunity to work in the Planning and Research Division. Talk about being the Hansomest Prince at the Ball ! He settled on the Planning and Research Division, elevating him to the 7th floor of Parker Center. Howard had married for the first time during his early career at the Los Angeles Police Department and started a family of 3 children. His new position at the police Department would be considered bit archaic by today’s standards, as all of the tasks of compiling Statistics and information regarding crimes and arrests were done manually with very little automation. With the advent of early computers, he had found himself at the precipice of technological advancements that would forever change how police work would be conducted. Howard was at the forefront of creating, implementing and even securing Government funding for a cutting edge program called the Emergency Command Control Communications system (ECCCS) or X Project as it came to be known. This program was dedicated to establishing instantaneous communications between field, air and dispatch units and operations. His background of patrolling the streets fortified his understanding of the importance of instant and accurate communication for the efficiency and safety of his brother officers. He spearheaded the Mobile Digital Terminal branch of the X Project. It was an enormous undertaking. The outcome of the X Project is regarded as one of the most innovative and transformative advancements ever in police communications for the LAPD. He worked on this project for 15 years. Howard retired after 25 years of dedicated police work. Howard leaves his wife, Joy, of 36 wonderful years. His son Steven Ebersole a Building Contractor of St Helena California his wife Sharon, 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. His daughter Elaine Ebersole a retired Registered Nurse of the State of Washington and Joy’s 5 sons who all loved him and endearingly called him their “Spare-Dad”. Howard Ebersole, you were a great and beloved man who has more than fulfilled your duties to family, friends and Country. You were a kind, decent, honorable man with a great sense of humor. He will be forever missed by those of us who were lucky enough to have known him. Thank you for being part of our lives and congratulations for a life well lived! At ease soldier and may God bless you in the beauty of your eternal rest. A mass of christian burial for Howard will be held Friday, October 18, 2024 at 12:00 PM at Saint Peter's Catholic Church, 105 S. 2nd Street, Dixon, California 95620. Following mass, Howard' ashes will be laid to rest at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 at 2:00 PM.