O. J. Dixie Howell

O. J. ""Dixie"" Howell, 96, of Baytown was born June 29, 1915 in Elkhart, TX and passed away Saturday, April 7, 2012. Dixie was the sixth son of Virgil and Mary Exa Howell. He attended Elkhart High School and Baylor University where he played basketball. He went to work at Humble Oil and Refining in 1936 and after 44 years he retired from Exxon as a Senior Instrument Engineer. Dixie, along with Dave Killough built Baytown's first radio station, KRCT which today is KIKK in Houston. In the early 1960's, he developed Ridgewood subdivision along with his brother, A. M. Howell. Dixie loved baseball and coached the Central Little League White Sox for 31 years. He served on the Baytown Housing Board for 14 years and on the Southeast Finance Corp. board for 20 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; loving wife of 70 years, Geraldine; son, Gene Howell; and seven brothers. He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Ken and Linda Howell and Mark and Doris Howell, and grandson, Monte Howell, all of Baytown and sisters-in-law, Thelma Howell of Baytown and Gloria Howell of Kingwood.

His family will receive friends at Navarre Funeral Home Monday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Graveside services will be Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Elkhart with Rev. Randy Piatt officiating.

To view the online obituary or to post a tribute for the family, go to www.navarrefuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.