Elton Calvin Howerton Jr.

He was preceded in death by Carol Pope Howerton, his wife of 64 years, his brother Robert Howerton and his parents Elton and Una Howerton. He is survived by his children, Cal Howerton (Denise), John Howerton (Nancy); his grandchildren, Jack and Tyler Howerton; and his sister Nancy Halbert.

Cig was born in Petersburg, VA, to Elton and Una Howerton in 1934. The family lived in Colonial Heights, VA. He was the second of the three Howerton children.

Cig married Carol Pope in 1956. His work career took them to South Carolina, Florida and ultimately to Alexandria, VA where they lived for nearly 60 years.

Cig received his high school diploma from Petersburg High School. He attended William & Mary, Virginia Tech and then Emory & Henry College prior to military service during the Korean Conflict. Following his return from Korea, he continued his studies and later graduated from Randolph-Macon College. He was also a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity at R-MC.

Cig was the ultimate athlete. At Petersburg High School, he played Football, Basketball and Baseball. He was Team Captain in both Football and Baseball at PHS and also made 1st Team All-State in Football his final season. His play on the gridiron earned him multiple football scholarship offers. Following PHS, he played Football at Virginia Tech and Football, Basketball and Baseball at Emory and Henry College.

Cig was drafted and served in Korea with the US Army as part of the occupation forces immediately following the Korean War. During his time in Korea, he was selected to play Football and Baseball for the 24th Infantry Division. Cig started at quarterback and linebacker for the football team that won the AFFE/8th Army Korea Divisional Championship in 1955.

After Korea, Cig played Football, Basketball and Baseball for Randolph-Macon College. He was a football Co-Captain his senior year and also earned 1st Team All-American honors that season. He was inducted into the R-MC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004. He was also inducted into the Petersburg Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018.

Following graduation from R-MC, Cig worked as a teacher and football coach at Hopewell High School. In 1961 he started a long career as a Special Agent for the Naval Investigative Service (now NCIS). After retiring from N.I.S, he served as Security Director for the Pentagon Federal Credit Union and later as Security Administrator at West Potomac High School in Alexandria.

For many years during his working career, Cig volunteered as a little league coach, umpire, referee and board member for the Fort Hunt Youth Athletic Association in Alexandria. Cig was able to enjoy watching his sons and grandsons follow in his football footsteps at the high school and collegiate levels. Cig and Carol traveled to as many college football games as they as they could to see the Howertons play.

Cig was a 50+ year member of Aldersgate United Methodist in Alexandria, VA. He was a long-time usher at Aldersgate, participated in worship groups, and was part of various church planning committees. He always read passages from his bible to start each day as long as he was able. He loved the church and the life lessons it provided.

Cig was a leader in the community and a mentor to many. He was a strong man who led by example and a tireless work ethic. He also had a caring heart, a quick wit, and always put others in front of self. He loved his family very much and did everything he could to make sure we had what we needed to be successful and stay on the right path. He and mom are now together again and we miss them both very much.

A funeral service will be held at Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Rd in Richmond, Va on May 10, 2025. There will be a visitation at noon and the service begins at 1:00pm. A reception will immediately follow the service. The May 10 events are open to all family and friends.

Interment at Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg, VA will take place on May 12, 2025 at 11:00am. This graveside service is private/family only.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Cig’s memory to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Rd, Alexandria, VA 22308.