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Howard was born on August 24, 1939, in Tularosa, New Mexico. His family lived on Mockingbird Ranch, located in the Tularosa Basin. As a toddler, he grew up on the range until World War II, when the U.S. Government evicted his family from their land. The McDonald home, later designated a National Historic Landmark, became the site where the atomic bomb was assembled-specifically in the master bedroom-after the government seized the property.
Following this loss, Howard and his family relocated to Three Rivers, where he was raised. There, they continued their ranching heritage, building a successful cattle operation that shaped Howard’s upbringing and lifelong connection to ranch life.
Howard attended school in Tularosa, graduating in 1958. He then pursued higher education at New Mexico State University, earning a degree in Animal Husbandry. After college, he spent several years rodeoing and traveling throughout the western states.
In 1970, the U.S. Government once again condemned his family’s land, this time seizing their three ranches on White Sands Missile Range. Howard devoted himself to the fight for fair compensation until the government ultimately acquired the properties and closed both his and his mother’s ranches.
Afterward, Howard purchased a small farm in Tularosa, where he farmed alfalfa and raised horses until his retirement. Throughout his life, he remained a devoted son, caring for his mother faithfully until her passing.
Josie Gowen (married to Howard’s cousin Pat Gowen) of Capitan, NM; Sherry Gowen of Capitan, NM; Stacy Gowen Williams and her husband Shawn Williams of Hobbs, NM; Shelby Gowen of Hobbs, NM; Ibree McCorvey of Las Cruces, NM; and Nina Williams and SJ Williams of Hobbs, NM; as well as many close friends he lovingly considered family.
The Memorial Service for Howard McDonald will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Alamogordo Funeral Home with Pastor Coy Hill Pruett officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tularosa Senior Center.
