Howard M. Cody

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our Father, Howard Michael Cody, on July 12, 2023 at Hearthstone Manor in Woodstock, IL. He was surrounded by his beloved family in his final days and took his last breath in the grateful presence of his devoted wife and proud daughters.

Howard was born on January 15, 1939 to John Francis Cody and Isabella Fitch Cody in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the youngest of nine children. Being the youngest child of a group of strong-willed Irish siblings resulted in a secret meeting amongst them in which a vote would be taken and it was decreed - Howard would forever and always be known as “Spike” to his siblings and to each generation after. And he was.

Howard grew up outside of Philadelphia until the passing of his father when he was 5 years old. He then lived at the Milton Hershey Home for Boys in Hershey, Pennsylvania until the age of 12 when he then moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado with his beloved mother. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Colorado Springs and enlisted in the Air Force, where he served a four year tour of duty in Saudi Arabia.

It was after his honorable discharge from the military that Dad’s life really began to take shape through his dogged determination to create a life that he had been dreaming of during his transient younger years. He enrolled at Western Colorado University in Gunnison, Colorado and studied Business and Psychology. Upon graduation, he was hired by the JC Penney company where he began his career in the company as a department manager in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was there that he met the love of life, Carol June Hansen who was working in the women’s department - and thus began their love story. They married on December 11, 1965 and together they began building a family through the birth of their three proud children.

Much of what made Howard so special was his unwavering work ethic. He was transferred a few times during his career until the family settled for good in Cary, IL in the spring of 1985. He eventually retired from JC Penney’s after 28 years of distinguished service and began a second career which spanned another 30 years with the creation of his company, Cody Advertising Promotionals. Dad had always been a fighter and never was this spirit more on display than watching him sweat and grind to build a business from the ground up in a field in which he had no experience. It was simply through his stubborn determination, infectious personality, and the perfect life partner at his side that he turned Cody Advertising Promotionals into a successful advertising specialties company that named countless loyal customers as both clients and friends.

While all of this hard work is much of what defined Howard’s character, his life and every decision he made was guided by his profound love and pride in his family and the vision he and our mother shared for the life they wanted to create for their children. With three busy kids, Howard never missed a game, a concert, a dance or any other opportunity to cheer and support his family. He wore his heart on his sleeve - you never had to guess how he was feeling. He was never afraid to shed a tear of happiness or give a bear hug after a crushing defeat on the field or hit the floor dancing when the music was right.

As seasons of life go, Dad’s most glowing season was that in which he became a “Daddad” to his grandchildren. He was a get on the floor and play, diaper changing, park going, movie watching, book reading, sleepover fort making, ball catching, cheerleading grandparent and that, coupled with his quick wit and wisdom, made him a central figure in the lives of his grandchildren. While he was an avid Chicago Cubs and Denver Broncos fan, he was a superfan for any team that his kids and grandkids played for.

Howard is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Carol Hansen Cody; his proud daughters, Mindy (Tim) Garis and Merry (Tim) Sieck; as well as grandchildren, Mackenzie, Keegan, Cody, Avery, Carter, John, Jake and Bella; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his son, Mike; his parents, John and Isabella Cody; and siblings, Marie, Betty, Jack, Tom, Claire, Natalie, Danny, Alice.

The family would like to specially thank the staff at Hearthstone Nursing Home for their professional and compassionate care of our Dad, most especially nurse Debbie.

Visitation will be held Sunday, July 16, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 3:00 p.m. at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E Terra Cotta Ave (Rt. 176) Crystal Lake.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.