James “Jim” Herbert Howell, Jr., age 91, of Salisbury, passed away Saturday morning, September 12, 2026, at Liberty Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, surrounded by family, friends and loved ones who cared very much for him. Jim was born on May 23, 1935, in Ashe County, to the late James Herbert Howell and Minnie Clyde Ashley Howell. He graduated from A. L. Brown High School and attended Catawba College. Jim worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 30 years and was a lifelong Tarheel fan. He was a former member of the Masonic Lodge in Kannapolis and enjoyed traveling, hunting, fishing and spending time at the Rowan County Wildlife Association in Salisbury. Jim was a lifelong member of Concordia Lutheran Church, where he served as Youth Leader, Assistant Boy Scout leader, Church Council member, and on the Columbarium Committee. He was also a faithful member of the choir for many years.
Jim is survived by his wife of almost 72 years, Margaret Carolyn Darnell Howell; his son, Dwight and wife Carla; his daughter Jan Garver and husband Steve; grandchildren Ashlinn Trexler and husband David, Brett Howell and wife Michele, Angela Garver, and Samantha Garver; great grandchildren Jaxon and Anaston Trexler, and Dylan, Katelyn and Morgan Howell; and brother-in-law, Jerry Darnell, Sr.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Eugene Doc Howell and Doc’s wife Patty. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Nancy Dry, and his brother-in-law, Gerald Dry.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff at Liberty Commons who loved and cared for Jim during the final years of his life, and to the dedicated caregivers at Rowan Hospice & Palliative Care of Salisbury.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 19, at 11 a.m. at Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home in China Grove and the family will receive friends prior to the service from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Carolina Cremation Services of Salisbury and Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home in China Grove are assisting the Howell family with arrangements.
