David Howard has always loved Christmas trees — and decorations.

“As a kid, I was the one who wanted to put up Christmas decorations before everybody else,” he said.

When the CVS in Moody was still Macon Gas station, Howard was an employee. His grandfather would drive him to the Christmas tree farm in Pell City. Owner Mike Abercrombie sold him the lesser desired trees at wholesale. Mr. Macon let him store and sell the trees from his produce truck.

He was 14 at the time.

Over the next few years, he would outgrow that produce truck. The young man moved his business to a flower shop: Jeans Flower Shop, named after one of his aunt’s and operated by another. Howard credits his accomplishments to Ambercrombie — whose memory, “Brings tears to my eyes” — and other family members.

“My grandmother owned restaurants,” he said. “I think she’s where I got my entrepreneurial spirit.”

Howard is a descendent of one of the founding families of Leeds and was born and raised in Moody. After graduating from Moody High School, he attended Jefferson State Community College and University of Alabama at Birmingham where he majored in business. Over the years, he has had several occupations including RV sales, real estate and business ownership. Though he was successful, he never forget his boyhood dream of owning a Christmas tree farm in his hometown. Then, something happened that would facilitate the realization of those dreams.

“At 51, I suffered a heart attack,” said Howard. “I wondered why God let me live. Then I realized, he gave me a second chance. I felt the calling to come home and do what I had always wanted — and now can afford to do.”

The Howard Family Farm is a dream quickly coming to fruition and will sell more than Christmas trees. They have planted several acres of pumpkins. The Pumpkin Patch opening is scheduled for Sept. 20 at 3706 Moody Parkway, Moody Alabama 35004.

In November, they will plant trees and have their first Christmas Tree Market. While they wait for the crop to come in, they will sell pre-cut trees from up north. By 2025, they plan to have fields of flowers and produce to sell flowers and produce directly to consumers.

Even before it opens, it might be worth taking a trip to Moody Parkway just to see it: 40 acres that represent more than 40 years of a boy’s dream.