Howard M. Singletary Jr, 82, passed away on March 12, 2025, with loved ones by his side. He has now joyfully reunited with his beloved wife, Rebecca, and son, David, in heaven. A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, March 31, at 1:00 pm at Montlawn Memorial Chapel with internment to follow. The family will receive friends in the Chapel at 12:00 pm prior to the service.

Howard was born on August 21, 1942, to his parents, Howard M. Singletary Sr, and Nannie Mae Burke Singletary. After graduating from NC State University with a Master's Degree in Horticulture, he was hired by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service as a Plant Ecologist. In 1987, he was appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture to serve as the Division Director for the Plant Industry Division and continued in this role until his retirement in 1997. Most notably, he served as the President of the Southern Plant Board and later served as President of the National Plant Board. In 2015, Howard received a service honor award from the National Association of State Agriculture Departments. Upon retirement, he served as the Executive Director of the Plant Food Association of NC. Howard also owned and operated Singletary Plant Nursery in Raleigh for many years.

Howard met and married the love of his life, Rebecca Singletary (Becky), in 1965. Together with their son, David, they made their home in Raleigh. As a family, they enjoyed going to the beautiful ocean and sound of Emerald Isle. They spent all their summer vacations at the Crystal Coast with the Quates. The family also loved their animals. They always had four-legged family members around wherever they went.

A true sportsman, Howard loved the outdoors. He was an active member of the Durham Wildlife Club. He was also an avid gardener sharing the fruits of his labor with his friends and neighbors. Howard also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and shooting sporting clays through which he met and made great friends both locally and nationally. He was also known for his love of collecting pottery, many pieces of which he shared with his friends and family. Howard was a generous and loving person.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Rebecca, and his son, David. Those left to cherish his memory are his sister-in-law, Sara M. Quate and brother-in-law, Wallace W. Quate, and his niece, Laura Quate Pratt (Martin), and his nephew, Wallace W. Quate Jr. (Ambur). He is also survived by Courtney J. Marvin (Alex), the beloved bonus family member who lived with him for over six years while attending N.C. State University and working in Raleigh. Howard also has many close relatives, aunts, cousins, and two grandnephews, who survive him.

The family would like to thank Dr. Todd Helton and Sheila Underwood for their dedicated care of Howard. In addition, the family would like to thank the staff of the Cardinal Assisted Living Center for the care and support they provided Howard during the time he was a resident. Furthermore, we would like to thank the friends who loyally visited Howard after his move to the Cardinal.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks friends to consider a contribution to SPCA of Wake County, 200 Petfinder Lane, Raleigh NC 27603 or Transitions HospiceCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh NC 27607.