Howard Owen Blachford, 86, of Orient, passed away at Avantara Redfield.

   Celebration of Life service will be 1:30 p.m., Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Reck Funeral Home, Miller.  Private burial will be at Prairie View Cemetery, Orient, at a later date.

   Howard Owen Blachford was born August 20, 1936, in Faulkton, SD, to Harold and Mabel (Larson) Blachford.   Howard lived his entire life on the Blachford ranch in Orient, South Dakota.  He rode his horse to country school along with his older sister Elaine.   Howard graduated from Miller High School in 1954.   Howard served his country during the Korean War and was stationed in South Korea.  He was honorably discharged. 

   Howard and his father Harold farmed and ranched together and raised registered Hereford livestock.

   Howard married Marie Spencer Fischer on December 4, 1972, in the Orient Lutheran Church.  To this union two sons were born.  Clayton James (1973) and Matthew Owen (1975) Blachford.   Howard and Marie were married for 48 years.  They attended the Orient Lutheran Church and family was the center of their lives.

   Howard was a man of Faith and studied the Bible.  He was a steward of the land and was proud of his trees and gardens.  Howard was a true cowboy who exhibited loyalty, integrity, and honesty.   He was a quiet, gentle, kind man who loved to discuss world, local news, and politics. 

   He was deeply loved!

   Howard is survived by his sons: Clayton Blachford (Jaci) of Northville SD, and Matthew Blachford (Cassandra) of Orient; stepchildren: Marla Fischer Nelson of Sioux Falls and Jeffrey Fischer (Heidi) of Brookings, SD; three grandchildren: Aaron and Tara Blachford of Northville and Lydia Blachford of Orient; eight step grandchildren:  Amy (Joe) Ryan, Kyle (Lindsey) Fischer, Ambur (Tyler) Zmuda, Ryan Fischer, Michael Houtman, Patrick (Dottie) Houtman, Lucas (Jessica) Houtman, and Sean Hauck; 14 step great grandchildren; sister, Elaine Blachford Trotman of Kalispell, Montana; nephew, Kenneth Trotman (Sue) of Portland, Oregon; and niece, LeAnne (Dan) Smith of Fortine, Montana.

   Howard was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marie (2020); step grandson, Eric Robinson; nephew, Doug Trotman; and brother-in-law, Neil Trotman.

   Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Howard's arrangements.  Visit www.familyfuneralhome.net