James “Jay” Arthur Howard, Jr. 94 and a half of New Braunfels, Texas passed away November 4, 2018 at Oak Tree Assisted Living. He was born in Brice, Texas, at home, which was located in the middle of a cotton patch, son of James and Notie Howard. He graduated from Clarendon High School, and then enlisted in the Navy in 1943. Boot camp took two months, then he went to the New Hebrides and then on to Guadalcanal for 16 months during World War II. He was attached to Squadron #1 Photographic Intelligence, the first of its kind. They flew planes and took pictures, from those pictures the military could determine where there were gun emplacements and where to bomb most effectively. He was next stationed at Corpus Christi for a year and then to Nashville, Tennessee for a year. He worked for a while at the separation center in the Chaplain’s office. After discharge, he went to Clarendon Junior College. He also attended photography school in Dallas. He had a photography studio in Memphis, Texas for a while. He went on to get his bachelor’s degree at West Texas State, now known as West Texas A&M.
He married Geneva Francis Drake in June 1953 in Amarillo, Texas and they had three children. He became an instructor on systems of aircraft at the Amarillo Air Base during the Korean War. Going to school at night, he got his master’s degree in psychology and counseling. When the base closed, he went to the Defense Language Institute at Lackland Air Force Base and worked there for a year. He and his family went to Tripoli, Lybia where he was stationed at Wheelus Air Force Base as an advisor to the Lybian Air Force. During the 1967 Six Day War, they were evacuated.
Next he became an advisor to the Thai Army working for JUSMAG in Bangkok, Thailand for 3 ½ years. He advised from Laos to Malaysia, border to border. He returned to Lackland AFB with the Defense Language Institute. He next became advisor to the 5th Army Reserve TRADOC at Fort Sam Houston Army Base with the Defense Department.
At age 52, he was offered to opt out and thus retired. He then went to work in public relations for Phipps Plating Company of San Antonio for 2 years; he tried his hand at substitute teaching and at the age of 55 completely retired. After that his wanderlust took hold and he and Geneva traveled to Europe several times as well as other places. After Geneva’s passed of 3 years and he married Alta Anderson until she passed in 2015.
He is survived by his children Jim and Linda Howard of Austin, TX, Carol Tolle of New Braunfels, Tx, and Bradley Howard of San Diego, Ca. He has four grandchildren, Wes Tolle of San Antonio, Tx, Jeff and Elizabeth Tolle of Ft. Worth, Tx, Jennifer Dominguez of Elgin, Tx and Jason Howard RIP and Rachel Stuckwisch of Austin, Tx. He has five great grandchildren Nora Howard, Charlotte Tolle, Jesse Montemayor, Jasmine and Max Ramirez. Jay is leaving behind many wonderful friends, nephews, and nieces. He was much loved and will be missed by all.
Services will be held Monday November 19, 2018 at Zoeller Funeral Home 615 Landa Street, New Braunfels, Tx 78130 for viewing 5-7pm. Burial at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on Tuesday November 20, 2018 at 11:00am Shelter #1.
