Ray Howland

Albert Ray Howland, Jr., age 88, passed peacefully on January 29, 2023 in Dahlonega, Georgia. He faced a number of challenges and complications post-surgery in 2016, and over the past 6+ years, he overcame each obstacle with resilience and bravery.

A native of Lagrange, GA, Ray was born February 25, 1934, to Rev. Albert Ray Howland, Sr. and Aurelia Adams Howland. Ray called Marshall, NC home, spending his elementary school years there. He then attended and graduated high school in Charlotte, NC.

Ray enlisted and served in the Army during the Korean War for two years and was stationed in Germany. After his military service, he attended Rice University and George Washington University where he graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. He was then invited by Cornell University to earn a Master’s degree, which he completed in 1963, and soon thereafter, continued on to work for Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory in Buffalo, NY.

In 1965, Ray accepted a position with Scientific Atlanta, where he worked for ten years as a senior engineer. Being independent-minded and entrepreneurial at heart, Ray started his own engineering firm, The Howland Company, Inc. in 1975 to continue his work in the field of designing radio frequency and microwave antenna test and measurement systems. With his business's success, he accumulated many awards and traveled the globe, which he very much enjoyed, being recognized for his work in the industry. He guided his company for many decades before retiring in 2020.

Ray followed his parents as a faithful Presbyterian throughout his life and loved the Lord with all his heart. He was a long-time Rotarian and a member of IEEE during his business career. His favorite pastime was hiking, viewing, and enjoying the mountains.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Nancy Anne Howland Brown.

Those who live on to cherish his legacy are his wife, Linda Mount Howland; children Ray Wycliffe Howland (Nancy), James H. Howland (Smita); step-children, Brook Smith (Pam), Joe Smith, Mark Smith (Niki); sister, Eva Claire Howland; grandchildren, Briana Howland, Daniel Howland (Katie), Lloyd Brown (Natalie), Adam Brown (Lauren), Aurelia Rae Brown, Josh Smith (Dana), Harrison Smith, Dakota Smith, Lilly Smith, and Phoebe Smith; great grandchildren, John Robert Howland and Hutson James Brown.

A Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, March 11, 2023, 3 PM in the Chapel of the Dahlonega Funeral Home. Family will receive friends from 1 to 3 PM before the service.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Shallowford Presbyterian Church, 2375 Shallowford Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30345 or your favorite charity.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.