Howard Rainer

Howard Ted Rainer, beloved companion, husband, father and grandfather
left this world and passed quietly through the veil during the night, on
January 3, 2022. He was 77 years old.

Howard was born April 18, 1944 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the youngest of
three children born to John Chibonne Rainer and Wynema Freeman. He
was a member of the Taos Pueblo tribe. These are the facts, but they
don't tell who he was. He was a man of great faith. He became a member
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served two year
mission from 1969 to 1971 in the Northern Indian Mission. He had only
been a member for four months when he was called.

Howard was an educator. He worked for Dale Tingey at BYU in American
Indian Services for about 40 years. He traveled to many of the Native
American tribes, encouraging youth to get an education and live up to their
potential. He inspired many a young person to stay in school.
Howard was a photographer and published several books. He loved
nature, especially birds and found great joy in capturing egrets and blue
herons, but the eagle was his favorite! He always thanked his Creator for
the joy and beauty he got to see and shoot.

Howard was a great husband and father. He and his wife, Beckie
would've celebrated 47 years of married life this February. Oh, the trips
they have taken together! Together they have five beautiful children: Sean,
Sara, Summer, Spencer and Sequoyah.

Howard was dynamic and charismatic! He laughed easily, loved to
engage others in conversation and was a true "people person" in general.
He counted Prophets and Apostles as friends and yet esteemed the
average person as someone just as valuable and interesting to know. He
loved music and singing and was the lead singer in a band called, "The
Tomahawks" in the early sixties! He attended Bacone Indian college in
Oklahoma, then transferred to Brigham Young University and completed
both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree. In so many ways, he is and was
a legend who leaves a great legacy behind.

In honoring Howard's wishes, there will be just a private service for the
immediate family.