Howard Earle Straight, 85, went peacefully to be with the Lord on Sunday, Feb. 7. Mildred, his beloved wife of 59 years, was at his side.

He was born on April 23, 1930 in Colorado Springs, Colo. After serving in the Marine Corps Engineers, Earle fulfilled his dream of being an airline pilot, and retired from Delta Airlines in 1990. He and Mildred were active in the Fallbrook Reche Club, members of Living Waters Christian Fellowship, and Fallbrook avocado ranchers since 1978.

Earle is survived by his wife, Mildred; son Steven Straight, his wife Sheila, of Fallbrook; grandson Joshua Straight of Burbank, Calif.; granddaughter Cristal Ige, her husband Tim and their children, Dan, Caleb and Hanna of Haleiwa, Hawaii, as well as a number of cousins. Earle loved his family and was a kindhearted friend and neighbor who's booming laugh and travel adventure stories will be greatly missed.

There will be a viewing on Monday, Feb. 15 from 9 to 10 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m. at Berry-Bell & Hall Fallbrook Mortuary, 333 N. Vine St. Private burial will be at Miramar National Cemetery, San Diego.