COLUMBIA – James Wayne Howard Sr., 74, of Blythewood, died Friday, April 6, 2018, at his home after a brief illness. Born February 2, 1944, Groundhog Day, (which he enjoyed reminding everyone) in Kannapolis, North Carolina, he was a son of the late James Dewey and Marian DeHart Howard.
Survivors include his loving wife, Kathryn Carson Howard, of the home; daughter, Donna Osteen of Columbia; and granddaughters, Shelby Stewart and Emma Bowes; brother, Larry Howard of Irwin, NC; sisters, Karen Murphy of NC, Deborah Glover of Gastonia, NC, and Betty Truesdale of Gaston, SC; sister-in-law, Mary Beth Carson of Blythewood; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Howard was preceded in death by his first wife, Beatrice Trapp, and his son, James Wayne Howard, Jr.
He was a 1962 graduate of Blythewood High School. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army July 27, 1962. He retired September 30, 1982 as 1st Sgt. In the Army, he served in Vietnam, Europe and various Army bases in the Southeast as an Engineer in Aviation Electronic Equipment Repair. He received a diploma in Computer Engineering Technology in June, 1975. Upon his Army retirement, he was self- employed working as an Engineering and Website Consultant until his death.
James met his wife Kathryn at a meeting of Toastmasters International in 2003, and both were very involved in the leadership, communication, and fellowship of several clubs.
The service for Mr. Howard will be held 2 o’clock, Wednesday, April 11th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 1 o’clock.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund at the website, donate.vvmf.org, or to a charity of one’s choice.
Memories and condolences may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com.
