Howard Leslie Booker died in his sleep on Thursday, January 30, at his home in Cadillac, Michigan. He was 78.
Mr. Booker was born on February 21, 1935, in Jamaica, Queens, a son of Leslie Ernest Booker and Mary Allen Booker, both of whom predeceased him. An all-around three-sport athlete in football, basketball and track, he attended Westhampton Beach High School and graduated in 1954.
In 1955, Mr. Booker began a career in custom home building with his father, Leslie Booker. In 1968, he moved to Roseville, California, where he quickly found success as one of the top-producing salesmen for building products in the western seven states. He started B&H wholesale in Sacramento in 1980, and with hard work, dedication and salesmanship, he soon opened two more roofing and drywall supply locations.
Mr. Booker’s love for sports is evident by his helping organize the first youth soccer league in Roseville, and being an active coach and board member in Roseville youth soccer and Little League baseball. He also owned several racehorses, and watched old western movies and all types of sporting events.
He is survived by three sons, two daughters-in-law, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, his nieces and nephews and other family members and friends.
Visitation was on February 10 at Lamberts Funeral Home in Roseville. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
on Feb 10, 2014