Howard Earl Burch, 63, died suddenly on June 22, 2005, in Grand Junction, Colo., after suffering a stroke. He was on an extended trip to Colorado with his partner, Charlotte Wilhite, doing what he loved the most, camping and exploring the wonderful countryside along the way.

A native of Macon County, he was the son of the late Glynn M. Burch, his mother, and Maurice E. Burch, his father. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his sister, Betty Nichols of Bellingham, Wash. Howard was a 1960 graduate of Franklin High School and a 1967 graduate of Western Carolina University. He retired from teaching in public schools in 1996, but never lost his love of teaching people or learning new things. In addition to nature and teaching, his passions included photography, reading, and woodworking. He followed his own path and did things his own way, not the way others dictated. He gave definition to the term original.

Surviving are a son, H. Eric Burch of Burnsville, Minn; sister, Bobbie Jean Seay and husband Roger Seay, Sr. of Franklin; sister Mildred Ann Crawford and husband, Oran Crawford of Granite Shoals, TX; and brother, Larry M. Burch and wife Jeannie Burch of Albuquerque, NM; eight nieces; three nephews; his companion Charlotte Wilhite; and many, many friends.

A Celebration of His Life will be held from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, August 7, in the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, Franklin, NC.

In keeping with his wishes, his ashes will be spread in the mountains of Appalachia that he loved.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made in his name to the Victory Junction Gang Camp at www.victoryjunction.org, an organization that matches his love for children and NASCAR with his desire to help others.

Online condolences available @ www.maconfuneralhome.com