Return to Sunset: Keynote speaker went 'From Bitter to Better'

SIKESTON -- A former Sikestonian who went "From Bitter to Better" will be the keynote speaker for the Sunset Reunion's final day.

Lloyd Howard of North Chicago is scheduled to speak at 3 p.m. during Sunday's Gospel Explosion.

"I was born in Kansas City, Mo., in 1927," Howard said. "At an early age, my parents moved me back to Sikeston. I grew up there and went to high school until the 10th grade in Sikeston."

As schools were still segregated at that time, Howard had to go to Charleston for the 11th and 12th grades.

Howard said he remembers watching the student pilots taking off and landing from the gates at the Harvey Parks Air Base in Sikeston.

Howard's brother, Harry Howard, remembers his older brother not being allowed to enter the airport because of his race. It was, however, a place that had a lasting influence on Lloyd Howard's life.

"That's when he fell in love with flying," Harry Howard said.

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