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Obituary for HOWDEN, FREDERICK B. III


Published in the Albuquerque Journal on Sunday July 06, 2014

HOWDEN, FREDERICK B. III PROMINENT NEW MEXICO ATTORNEY, NATIVE AND LIFE-LONG RESIDENT FREDERICK B HOWDEN III, DIES AT 81 Frederick B. "Ted" Howden was born in Albuquerque, NM March 18, 1933 and raised in Albuquerque, Roswell and Santa Fe, died peacefully at home in the early hours of June 21. Ted was the son of Captain Frederick B Howden II, who a Japanese Prisoner of War serving as a Chaplain for the 200th Coast Artillery Unit in the Philippines during World War II. His grandfather - Frederick B. Howden I, was the first Bishop of the Southwest Diocese of the Episcopal Church. A graduate of Albuquerque High School, the University of New Mexico and George Washington University Law School, (graduating with honors) Ted was a member of the New Mexico State Bar Association for almost 56 years. While a law student, Ted worked as member of then New Mexico Senator Clinton P. Anderson's staff. After graduation from law school Ted returned to New Mexico to practice law and began what was to be a life-long involvement in public service and office. He was the youngest elected mayor of Grant's New Mexico in the early 1960's and was commended by President John F. Kennedy for his work as the President of New Mexico Young Democrats helping to secure President Kennedy's election. In the 1970's Howden served as District Attorney for Valencia County and later as Chief Deputy under current District Attorney Lemuel Martinez. He was also a candidate for Attorney General for the State of New Mexico. He served as attorney for the City of Belen, the City of Grants and for Cibola and Valencia Counties and was also the Chairman of the Democratic Parties in both Valencia and Cibola Counties. One of Ted's proudest accomplishments was his work leading to the creation of Cibola County in 1981. Judicial District - the 13th- in New Mexico. Ted was known for many years as one of the top ten lawyers in the state and practiced privately in Belen, Los Lunas and Grants, New Mexico. Over the years Ted also taught at the New Mexico State University campus in Grants and also at the New Mexico Women's Correctional Facility. For these and many other accomplishments, Ted was named as Grants-Cibola Citizen of the Year in 2013. Ted embodied a quiet thoughtfulness and a dry sense of humor, which belied his acute ferocity and much lauded skills as a criminal lawyer in the courtroom. He was much sought after for his wise counsel and steadfast integrity. As die-hard Lobos Basketball fan the only time he was known to swear and yell was at the referees for a bad call. He loved the land and the people of New Mexico and had an encyclopedic knowledge of the history of the state and its people for whom he had great love and respect. In addition to his beloved wife Hendrika of 36 years, Ted is survived by his brother John F. Howden (Olivia); his daughter Melissa Howden; son Frederick B Howden IV (Patti); three step-children, Michelle, James (Nicole) and Tania Gaddy; and grandchildren Payte, Emily and Teddy. His life was well lived, he was much loved and he will be greatly missed. Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at the Cathedral of St John, 318 Silver St. SW, Albuquerque, NM. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the New Mexico Cancer Center Foundation at: nmcancercenterfoundation.org


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