John C. Howard

John Christopher Howard,79, of Owensboro passed away suddenly Wednesday, September 9 at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. Born the 8th child of the late John Louis and Mary Elve Howard in Whitesville, KY, he was known there as "Cricket".

He attended St. Mary of the Woods and entered the Air Force with the 329 Bomb Squadron. John returned to Owensboro and attended Brescia College and worked at Green River Steel Mill. Beginning in the 1970s, John embarked on career in real estate and property ownership that he continued until his death. He also owned numerous businesses in the Owensboro and Henderson areas including a dry cleaner's shop, 3 Express Lubes, Cricket's Classy Carwash, and industrial buildings.

John has been active in an extensive list of civic, political and religious organizations. He held local and state offices in the Kentucky Jaycees, the Red Cross Organization, and church and school boards, Boy Scouts of America, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent De Paul. He was a past president of the Right to Life of Owensboro and was awarded the Life Award in 1998. John sat on the board of the Daviess County Parks Department and was instrumental in extensive renovations at the parks in the 1980s. He served as president on the board of Birthright. He was active in local and state politics. More recently, John was a volunteer at Owensboro Health and he was an original Adorer of Perpetual Adoration at The Carmel Home.

He would like to best be remembered for his devotion to The Church and the countless hours he spent as a pro-life activist and defender of all life from birth to natural death. He enjoyed music, was an avid reader, traveled extensively, a curator of history and was the family historian. John was a friend to many and enjoyed socializing throughout his life with people from all walks of life.

John is preceded in death by his parents, siblings Francis Howard, Louis "Pussycat" Howard, Clifford Howard, David Howard, and Steve Howard.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Shirley Devins Howard, and his children Alicia (Greg) Field of Dallas, TX, Carla (Steve) Terrell, Chris (Pam) Howard, Elaine (Larry) Howard, and Alex (Karen) Howard all of Owensboro, KY; siblings Marcella Schepers of Owensboro, KY, Mac (Martha) Howard of Vine Grove, KY and Raymond (Frankie)Howard of Bardstown, KY; grandchildren, Bryant Field, Nathan Field, Katie Field, Ben Field, Hallie Terrell, Sam Terrell, Austin Howard, Emilee Howard, Jacob Howard, Ellie Howard, Spencer Howard and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory on Friday, September 11 at 2pm - 8pm with prayers at 7pm and Saturday from 12pm til 1pm. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, Sept 12 at 2pm at Immaculate Catholic Church. Expressions of sympathy and celebration of John's life may take the form of donations to the Owensboro Birthright or The Carmel Home.