James R. Howard Jr.

Born to James Sr. and Juanita Howard on December 20, 1933, James “Sonny” was the oldest of four siblings - Shirley, Michael (deceased) and Debbie (deceased). Sonny, who received that nickname from his grandmother Sadie for being such a sweet and bright child, was raised in Washington D.C. where he was known for running the streets with his friends and playing basketball until the wee hours of the night. Sonny graduated from Armstrong Technical Senior High School.

Sonny briefly attended Hampton Institute in Hampton VA before he decided to join the military. While attending college, Sonny participated in civil rights activities, even rode the bus to the south to help with voter registration. He was a very active young man, playing sports, finding the best parties, and making friends.

As a military member, Sonny served 20 + years in the military in the United States Army and United States Air Force spreading his jokes and laughter in places like Germany, France, Vietnam, Italy and Thailand to name a few. While in the early years of his service, he played basketball for the All Armed Forces Basketball team, where he traveled the world including playing in UK, Egypt, Tunisia, and other countries in Africa. Sonny enjoyed traveling and often told stories of the different places he had been.

He retired in San Antonio, after a successful career in the military. He continued to lead his family stressing the importance of education and he went back to college and attained a BA degree in Business Administrations from Southwest Texas State University. Sonny is also a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, Inc.

He continued his service with the DoD, moving to Hampton VA until his next retirement, then made his way back to Texas, where he lived in Dallas for several years. He then came back to San Antonio, to be closer to family and friends and enjoy a fully retired life.

Sonny was an avid sports fan, a lover of jazz music, and a food enthusiast. He was remembered by his friends and family as being a very kind, generous and funny person. He never met a stranger and was very welcoming to those in his presence. Sonny loved dogs and he always had a four-legged friend in his life.

Sonny departed this life on Thursday, December 22, 2016. He is survived by his Aunt Josephine, 94 years old, who continued to be an integral part of his life, calling Sonny "My Boy"; his three former wives - Jackie; Carolyn (Patty), and Melba; all with whom he remained close friends with over the years. Sonny leaves to cherish all his memories, his 6 children, Wayne (Sharron), Beverly, David (Dianne), Stephen, Christopher (Elizabeth), and Felicia (Lorenzo). Also, he is survived by his grandchildren Damian (Tina), Michael, Keith (Keyeria), Tiana, Kennedy, Talia, Kameron, Jacqueline, Lauren, and Nicholas; great grandchildren D’Shea, K’Aaliyah, and Kamari; nephews and nieces Ingrid, Michael Jr, Derrick, Anson, Preston, Dea, Tony, April, and David and a host of other family members, stepchildren, and friends.