Birth date: Mar 11, 1943 Death date: Mar 23, 2020
James Howard Obituary A memorial service to remember and celebrate the life of James Otis “Jim” Howard will be announced in the coming days. On Tuesday, March 31, 2020, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., those who wish to pay their respects to Read Obituary
I will never forget your soft spoken ways. We will truly miss you in the Oktoberfest community. RIP
I didn't know Jim, but remember seeing him a lot in Phoenix Sunday School all those many years ago as he participated in many activities. He was known to be a good man, considered to be a "good catch". Glad to see he had a good life.
We remember Jim as a caring, giving neighbor. We lived across the street from one another in the 90's and Jim was known to watch after elderly neighbors. On a cold fall afternoon I was on my roof blowing leaves out of the rain gutters. I inadvertently snagged the ladder at the back of the house with the power cord, unplugging it knocking the ladder over. My wife was out of town, it was beginning to get dark and it just happened Jim came from across the street to check on something at the house next door. He had not seen me on the roof and I called to him, "Jim." He looked around, didn't see anyone, started to walk off and I called to him again, this time "Jim, it's the Lord." He looked up and I told him what I had done, "would you set the ladder back up?" He didn't say anything, he just walked casually to the back of the house, set the ladder back up and held it while I got to the ground. "Thanks Jim, I sure owe you one." "You sure do" he said quietly then walked casually back home. Later over the years I had the opportunity a couple of times but never really got even. Jim, not just a good man, more than that, a godly man!
I met him through my friendship with karen while we were volunteering at Oktoberfest many years ago and yes he was sporting the famous strall hat with a smile that matched well with Karen's then I went to attend the church where my dad played his steelguitare I was really happy to notice them sitting a few pews in front Jim wasn't allowed to sport his hat but the big greeting smile was there. Jim was one of the people who I always looked forward to seeing while we were doing Oktoberfest along with karen of course. He always asked me to make sure his wife had a golf cart while working all those hours at Oktoberfest looking out for his loved 1 so she didn't get ran down. Wish we all could've shared another glass of wine together. I'm truly gonna miss running into you and the famous strall hat and my heart goes out to you karen your surly in my prayers along with all the people that was closest to him and so so many upon many of people that had the pleasure and that was lucky enough to have shaked Jim's hand. His smile was truly genuine.REST in PEACE and enjoy your meeting with are Lord and Savior I'm sure your smile will be pleasing LOL
I was very sad to hear of Jim’s passing. He was a sweet and kind man. Enjoyed seeing him smile and hearing him laugh. I loved when he would make his hello dolly bars and bring them to church. I will miss him. I will never forget him. Our sincere condolences to Karen and the rest of the family.
I knew Jim when I was a Paraprofessional Aide with Union Schools. I would meet him every morning to help get the Special-Needs kids off the bus and again in the afternoon to go home. He loved the children he drove for so much and he was always so calm! I used to tease him that when the straw hat came out, it must be spring. After we both retired from Union, my husband and I would run into him and Karen (and the dog) at the concerts at Utica Square or the farmers market on Saturday mornings. It was always hugs and hand shakes. What a wonderful treat it was to have known him. Thank you Jesus!
I was so sad to hear of Jim's passing. We spent quite a bit of time together working around the church over the last several years. Jim will always be remembered by me for his sense of humor and his always being there when something was needed at the church. I will miss his little laugh and that humor that only a few good men like us "cotton" to. Jim and I could laugh about a lot of things that may not be that funny to others but we were of the same ilk when it came to comedy. He was a master at keeping our church grounds looking great, in spite of the moles and gophers, a little oasis in the neighborhood. I remember driving up to the church and Jim had his truck parked where he could give the gophers a little exhaust therapy. we both decided that he didn't kill any moles or gophers just gave them some brain damage. i really loved that man. My prayers go out to Karen, Mark and Jim's entire family, church and friends. We lost a great man and I lost a true friend. I will see him again some day. If we follow Jesus we will all see him again.
