Don Howald, a highly-talented Camarillo volunteer, has been named Layman of the Year by the California Pacific Annual Conference of the Untied Methodist Church.

Howald received the honor the Bishop Gerald Kennedy Award as Layman of the Year in a surprise ceremony at the May 11 Sunday services at the Camarillo United Methodist Church where he has been an active member for 38 years.

The inscribed plaque, given to him by Ken Ellis, conference lay leader, says, in part, in recognition of distinguished service to the United Methodist Church.

The California Pacific Annual Conference covers all of southern California, Hawaii, Guam, and the South Pacific Islands and includes 400 Methodist churches.

Howald, 67, has been involved in a number of mission construction projects in Africa and Chile and worked in the Ventura County chapter of Habitat for Humanity in recent years. In addition, he helped lead the construction of the parsonage, sanctuary, and other projects at the local church.

"I enjoy it. I get a lot of satisfaction, especially when the recipients are so happy," Howald said. "I enjoy using my talents and working with people. I am going to keep doing missionary projects as long as I have good health."

Jack of All Trades

Don is a jack of all trades and proficient at all, Dr. Jim Decker-Mahin, senior pastor, noted. He is sensitive to the needs of others in the church and the community and helpful whenever possible. Don is even-tempered, good natured, kind, compassionate and unassuming.

Don and his wife, Nancy of 47 years, live in Camarillo and have three married daughters Beverly Schippmann, of Hawaii, and Marian Brock and Anna Binney, both of Camarillo, two grandchildren, and three step grandchildren.

From 1959 to 1965, Don was a pilot for the US Air Force. He then flew as a pilot for Continental, Pacific Southwest, and US Airlines for a total of 35 years retiring in 2000.

Prior to foreign projects, Howald was a member of the Conference Board of Camping and on the Board of Directors of Camp Cisquito.

During the 1970s, Don and many others constructed the parsonage at the Camarillo Methodist church followed by the present sanctuary, fellowship hall, and parlor. The parlor was named in his honor in 1979. During the sanctuary project, Don contributed more than 1000 hours of time. At present, Don and others are constructing the new Friendship Garden, with colorful arches, at the local church.

In the 1991 and 2001, Don and Nancy traveled to Kenya, Africa with Volunteers in Mission (VIM) for work on two different water projects.

Four Mission Trips to Chile

Together, they have made four mission trips to Chile with VIM to construct two parsonages, church classrooms, and a missionarys home. Most of the Howald family went on the 2007 holiday trip to help build church classrooms.

In Ventura County, Don has helped build homes with Habitat for Humanity in Piru, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, and Simi Valley.

At the Camarillo United Methodist Church, Don is president of United Methodist Men, a member of the Chancel Choir, Media Team, Caring Ministries, Administrative Board, Council on Ministries, and formerly, a lay leader and member of the Board of Trustees. The church is located at 291 Anacapa Dr. in Camarillo.

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