On Monday, March 13th Jim Howard passed away in Pleasanton, Texas.  He was 73 years old.

Jim is survived by his children, Kristy and Keith; his five grandchildren Joei, Jake, Christian, Ethan and Matthew; and siblings Lovona and Kenneth.

James Dale Howard was born to Ruby and Leonard Howard in 1949.  Jim grew up at his father's right hand, learning to build and repair almost anything.  He attended high school in Jourdanton, Texas.  After high school, Jim joined the US Navy, where he served with honor.  In 1969, he saw combat service on river patrol boats on the Mekong River of Vietnam.

Jim was a craftsman who quickly mastered any skill he wished.  For nearly 30 years, Jim owned and operated J & S Paint and Body, an automotive body and mechanic shop in Palacios, Texas.  He was also an avid builder and flyer of scale radio-controlled aircraft.  Whether it was a custom hot rod emblazoned with flames or a scale model jet, Jim competed in shows across the state and routinely won many awards.

In addition to his automotive and modeling skills, Jim's interests were extremely varied.  He was an avid reader of science fiction.  He taught himself flint knapping, the method of shaping rocks by hand into traditional arrowhead points.  A loving grandfather, Jim doted over his five grandchildren.  Jim will be missed by all who knew him.

Services will be held at 11 am on Saturday, March 25th, at the First Baptist Church in Christine, Texas.