John James Howard

Surviving, are his wife, Dorothy, sons, John “Jay” (Diane) Howard II, of Columbus, Gregory (Jacqueline) Howard, Lancaster, and daughter, Jane (Brad) Thoman, Bremen, brother, Joseph R. (Darlene) Howard, eight grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, Clinton “C.L. and Willa (Bond) Howard, his sisters, Elizabeth Howard Smith and Frances Howard Exline, nephew Joseph Howard and step-nephew Brian Floyd.

Born in Parkersburg, W. Va. on September 20, 1928, John graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1947 and was a member of the Big Reds state champion baseball team that year. He attended West Virginia University and graduated in 1952 with a degree in psychology. On June 1, 1952, he married the love of his life, Dorothy White. He began a career with Western Electric in Charleston, W. Va. before entering the United States Army in 1955. He was 1st lieutenant in the 3rd Infantry at Ft. Benning in Georgia and honorably discharged in 1957.

He moved his family to Cicero, Illinois and relocated to Pickerington in 1964 all the while working with Western Electric until his retirement in 1988. Big band music was his passion and John enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren in their marching bands. He coached Little League baseball and was a member of the Pickerington Lions Club assisting with the organization of the annual Labor Day Parade and annual Strawberry Festival. He also served on the Violet Township Zoning Committee. In 2011, John and Dorothy moved to Reflections Retirement Community in Lancaster Ohio.

John and his wife were charter members of East Livingston Baptist Church in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. He was an avid railroad and model train enthusiast and enjoyed playing baseball and attending games with his grandsons. He also pitched for the East Livingston Baptist Church softball team from its humble beginnings until in his 70’s, he reluctantly gave a nod towards Father Time, rounded third and headed home to hang up his Stan Musial model Rawlings glove. To say he supported his beloved West Virginia Mountaineers is an understatement. He was Old Gold & Blue and “Let’s Go Mountaineers” through and through. John had a tremendous sense of humor and was a wonderful husband, father and human being.

A Celebration of Life Service for John will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday February 27, 2017 at Halteman-Fett & Dyer Funeral Home, 436 N Broad Street, Lancaster with Dr. George E. Winters officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery. Friends may call on Sunday from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. and one hour prior to the service Monday at the funeral home.