Larry Howard Passed Away on Tuesday

Schneider Fishing · Post by **Schneider Fishing** » Wed May 30, 2012 9:14 pm

It is with deep sadness we at Phenix/Proline must announce the untimely passing of Larry Howard, former owner of the Phenix Rod and Bait Company and an iconic figure in bass fishing, both here in the U.S. and internationally. Larry's involvement in the sport was multi-faceted, as a pro angler, rod designer and lure innovator. We at Phenix-Proline offer our deepest condolences to his wife Pat and the entire Howard family.

Schneider Fishing · Post by **Schneider Fishing** » Wed May 30, 2012 9:18 pm

If you have a story about Larry. Maybe you could post it here in his memory.

Gary Dobyns · Post by **Gary Dobyns** » Wed May 30, 2012 9:32 pm

I worked with Pat and Larry for years. Pat is a sweetheart and Larry was ornery as heck

Me and KB made a surprise visit to their shop one day....got a big hug from Pat and asked her to go tell Larry he had some pissed off customers up front that wanted the complait dept..... we gave her about a 30 second head start then headed back to see Larry. Here he came mumbling about "straightening out the SOB's" ....then he saw it was me and really called me more than just a SOB

We had a great laugh and I remember it like yesterday. I always gave him crap about how Pat is such a sweetheart I can't believe she puts up with his a$$

He always had a good reply

This is sad news. We are losing a lot of guys from our sport lately.

kb · Post by kb » Thu May 31, 2012 11:03 am

I remember that day Gary and the quote he said as he was walking up front was "tell em to go pi$$ up a rope" and that WAS before he knew it was us!!!

and yea Pat was way to sweet to be hanging around with that onry old guy!!!!

Gonna miss guys like Larry Howard.......

kb

richjh · Post by **richjh** » Thu May 31, 2012 6:28 pm

For a very long time the Phenix booth at the Fred Hall Show in Long Beach was the center of the bass fishing universe. All the top pros hung out there and the top writers paid homage. In the middle was Larry and some of the finest rods ever created. If you are measured by what you created, Larry had a grasp on perfection.

richjh · Post by **richjh** » Thu May 31, 2012 7:17 pm

Got this from Sharon Whaley, a friend of Pat Howard:

Pat Howard would like to let all of her friends know the arrangements that have been made for Larry's burial, for those who are able to attend. It will be a graveside service at Melrose Abbey Memorial Park in Anaheim, at 2:00 pm on Thursday, June 7th. If you have any questions, you can email me at swhaley@cox.net. If you know of any of their friends who might like to attend, please pass this information along.