MIKE MOUTOUX

In Memoriam
Jesse Lee Howard – 1936-2016
Jesse Lee Howard, age 79, of Wibaux, Montana passed away Monday, February 22, 2016 at his
home and a Memorial Service was held Friday, February 26, 2016. Jess was born on October 3, 1936
in Merced, California to Edmund and Violette (Jones) Howard. After growing up and graduating in
California, he joined the Army before he turned eighteen and spent the next two years stationed in
Hawaii.
Jess worked odd jobs and rodeoed with many great friends, including his brother Pat, over the next
several years. Somehow he made his way to Montana, where he met and later married Judy Austby on June 8, 1963. Their son
Jeff was born the following year in July and Jess liked to joke that they “were married in June and Jeff was born in July”.
In 1970, Jess became the NRCA Championship Saddle Bronc Rider, winning a saddle and his favorite buckle. In
1971, his daughter Jody was born and Jess began an almost thirty-five year horseshoeing career. In 1975, they moved to
Fallon, Nevada where he shod horses and drove Judy, Jeff and Jody to many, many rodeos, team roping’s and barrel races!
He especially appreciated the cowboy church services and friendships created during the high school rodeos. Jess lived
and gathered friends in California, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, New Mexico and Nevada over the years.
In 1994, Jess and Judy moved closer to family in Montana and North Dakota and Jess began to overcome his lifelong stage fright
in order to share his cowboy poetry, singing and guitar skills.
Jess was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund and Violette and one brother. He is survived by his wife, Judy Howard
of Wibaux; his daughter, Jody (Rocky) Burman of Miles City, Montana; his son, Jeff (DeAnn) Howard of Malta, Montana;
five grandchildren, two sisters and two brothers. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.
silhafuneralhomes.com
John Clayton Lamont – 1943-2015
John Lamont, who called himself “Johnny Silver, the Vaquero Balladeer,” in the duo Rydin’ High,
passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack at his home on Sept 4, 2015, at the age of 72. He and
his wife Sharron had moved to Spring City, UT from their home in Merced, CA a year earlier. John
was a linguist who taught both French and Spanish, and his last solo CD was sung in Spanish. It was
a collection of songs from Latin America and was sub-titled “Canciones de mi Madre.”
After working for several years at Branson, Missouri’s first dinner theater, the duo joined the WMA
in 1990 and, dressed in colorful period costumes, were widely known for their music celebrating
California’s era of the Californio. Their recording of “South Coast Ballad” has become popular
internationally. In 2014, the California State Legislature issued a Resolution recognizing the duo’s
role in promoting California and naming John, “California’s Vaquero Balladeer.” When he died, John had just launched a line
of hand-made, acoustic bass guitars that he thought would be perfect for Western bands (he was not fond of the electric bass in
Western music). The “Lamont Bass” was the culmination of 10 years of work, and he was justly proud of his accomplishment.
William A. “Bill” Richardson – 1921-2015
Long-time WMA member Major William A. “Bill” Richardson (Ret.) of Warrenton, VA, died
peacefully with family by his side in Warrenton on November 29, 2015. He was 94 years old. Bill is
survived by his devoted wife of 73 years, Eva; two daughters, Sheron Hume (Pete) of Marshall, VA
and Carol Dandy (Darrold) of Annandale, VA; four grandsons; six great-grandchildren; three greatgreat-grandchildren;
brother Elmer and sister Nadean, both of Washington State; and many extended
relatives and friends. He joined the Army in July, 1940 as a mounted soldier in the 7th US Cavalry, serving in World War II in the
Pacific Theatre. He ended his long Army career working in ASA at Vint Hill Farms Station where he retired, highly decorated,
in 1961. Working as a civil servant in ASA and INSCOM, he retired with many awards from his 2nd career at Arlington Hall
Station in Virginia in 1984. Bill was a fan of Western Music and attended the WMA Convention for many years. t
30 | Spring 2016 The WESTERN WAY