This week, the state of Indiana lost one of the most influential figures in high school baseball. That beloved individual is Ray Howard from Jasper, Indiana. Ray has been a long time member of the IHSBCA (Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association) volunteering his time on various committees and promoting the game. He was an outstanding coach for the Jasper Wildcats located in southern Indiana but one of his biggest contributions was the building, funding and running the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame. That is why I call him Mr. Hall of Fame. In addition to starting the Hall of Fame, located in Jasper, he is a 1990 Hall of Fame inductee.
Below you will see his obituary detailing his life, but you will also hear from some fellow coaches (members of the IHSBCA) that will share their experiences and memories of Ray. I would like to start that off by stating Ray Howard was an unbelievable man, someone who cared deeply for his community of Jasper and the Indiana baseball family. He was a larger than life man with a gentle heart that treated everyone he met as if they have known each other for years. My fondest memories of Ray would be the annual gathering after the Hall of Fame banquet where Ray would hold court telling stories of his life in baseball. There would always be a gathering of coaches throughout the state that would listen to the magical words that he would speak. His stories would bring laughter and sometimes tears, but always entertaining. I will miss those wonderful nights and I will certainly miss the man Ray Howard.
From: Brian Abbott
Ray is more than the Hall of Fame. He has been a mentor and a friend to me for many years and has helped me grow as an individual and a leader of the IHSBCA. He has a servant's heart and is constantly reaching out to Hall of Famers, members of the baseball community at all levels, and impacting our game in ways that many do not see. His presence is calming, his wisdom is timely, and he is a true man of character!
From: Brian Kirchoff
A few of the things I have learned from Ray: There's no motivation for getting a kid to throw strikes quite like ice cream. Salt can be used in 7up ("Don't knock it 'till you try it!"). Most issues have simple fixes ("It ain't rocket science!"). And most importantly....we're all children of God our Father who has prepared a place for us. Thank you, Ray
From: Scott Hughes
My dad knew Ray Howard for decades through countless coaching clinics, the annual golf outing, and coaching against each other on the field. I later got to know Ray through the State Clinic and by helping provide Notre Dame items for that same golf outing. Ray was a genuine role model-both as a coach and as a person. He will be deeply missed by so many.
From: Scott Upp
Ray Howard was a true icon within the IHSBCA. The wisdom and knowledge he shared with our organization were invaluable. Every time I spoke with Ray, he made me feel as though we were longtime neighbors, despite living on opposite ends of the state. His quick-witted humor was always a gift. I have no doubt that if there's baseball in heaven, Ray has already found the field and will be throwing BP tomorrow.
From: Phil McIntyre
The first thing I thought of was his unique voice that was so calming when he talked to you. Then of course his wonderful question to me every year! When we getting pizza? We are so Blessed he was in our lives! He so much loved the IHSBCA. Ray and Wayne Johnson was the whole reason why I got into high school coaching! I will never forget my first clinic with them at the Jasper Inn! He will be deeply missed by our baseball community but will never ever be forgotten. What a Great Person and Friend.
From: Dennis Kas
When I was chosen for my first varsity coaching position in 1982, the Ray Howards and Bill Joneses of the IHSBCA were so very kind. Going out of their way to welcome me. Very special, I will always be grateful.
From: George Phares
Ray was one of the good ones! I enjoyed working on committees with him and being his roommate at the state clinic. His work with the Hall of Fame was remarkable. He leaves a rich legacy behind and he will be greatly missed!
From: Terry Gobert
I have never known a person who loved baseball more than Ray Howard. He lived baseball every moment he graced this earth; Ray dedicated each day of is life to sharing the game... lessons to little leaguers, high school and college players, radio and TV broadcasts, and running the Baseball Hall of Fame. He always made time for anyone who asked. I hadplans to coach football and basketball until I served 2 seasons as Ray's assistant. He taught every fundamental of the game. Following a legend like Ray was easy; he had already set the standard and the foundation for Jasper Baseball. I have leaned on Ray's advice for over 40 years and I will carry those lessons always. Coach Howard was Mr. Baseball for Indiana.
From: Tim Nonte
From: Ken Seitz
It will take years to replace Ray. I first met him in the late 70's when he did the "Tri-State" baseball clinic at the Jasper Holiday Inn. I could tell immediately he was a special person! Over the years I enjoyed working with Ray at various IHSBCA groups. Great baseball guy and an even better person.
Obituary for Raymond H. Howard
Raymond H. Howard, age 86, of Jasper, Indiana, passed away surrounded by family at 6:01 a.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Deaconess Memorial Medical Center in Jasper, Indiana. Ray was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 28, 1939, to Edwin and Mary (Rus) Howard. He married his high school sweetheart, Janet Sue Rudolph on March 26, 1960, at Mars Hill Church of Christ in Indianapolis, Indiana.
He was a 1957 graduate of Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1961 he graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Education from Indiana Central College (now University of Indianapolis). He later earned his Master’s degree from Butler University in Indianapolis. He was a science teacher at both Decatur Central High School and Jasper High School.
Ray was the American Baseball High School Association Director for four years, the Decatur Central High School Baseball Coach in Indianapolis from 1974-1976, and the Jasper High School Baseball Coach from 1976-1987, where he provided coaching support up until his passing, including providing color commentary for WITZ coverage of Jasper Baseball. He was President of the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association in 1981, the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame Director from 1977-2025, and the president of the Dubois County Sportsmans Club from 1988-1993.
He was a Jasper City Councilman from 2004-2016, and was awarded a key to the city. In 1966, he and his wife, Janet were charter members of Valley Mills Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana; Ray had been a Lay Minister for the First Christian Church in Troy, Indiana, from 1979-2015, and was currently a member of Redemption Christian Church in Jasper, Indiana.
He was inducted into the University of Indianapolis Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005, the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1990, and the Jasper High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2022. 2025 marked the 33rd year of the Indiana High School Baseball Association Hall of Fame Golf Classic at Sultan’s Run, which Ray developed to support activities at the Hall of Fame located at Vincennes University Jasper Campus.
Ray enjoyed all sports, especially baseball and the Cincinnati Reds. He also enjoyed hunting and golf.
Surviving is his wife of 65 years, Janet Howard, Jasper, IN, five children, Kim (John) Wagner, St. Henry, IN, Kelly (Mary) Howard, Jasper, IN, Jon (Christina) Howard, Celestine, IN, Todd (Kristen) Howard, Westfield, IN, and Darren (Christine) Howard, Jasper, IN, 9 grandchildren, Jason Wagner, Eric Howard, Kyle Howard, Stephanie Tropp, Phill Smith, Miranda Crow, Jacob Howard, Ben Howard, and Mackenzie Howard, 10 great grandchildren, three sisters, Linda (Joe) Welch, Indianapolis, IN, Cindy (Scott) Shaw, Greenwood, IN, and Becky (Mike) Nangle, Ocean Springs, MS, and one brother, David (Ivy) Howard, Gilbert, AZ.
Preceding him in death are his parents, one grandson, Luke Howard, one sister, Susan Howard, and two brothers, Richard and Mark Howard. A funeral service for Raymond H. Howard will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at Redemption Christian Church in Jasper, Indiana, with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery in Jasper.
A visitation will be held from 2:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 1, 2025, at Redemption Christian Church in Jasper, and two hours before services at the church on Tuesday from 9:00-11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame in Jasper, Indiana.
Online condolences may be made to www. becherkluesner.com.
