John H. Howard

John H. Howard, beloved father, cherished husband, and best friend, passed away on Monday, August 28, 2017.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, August 31 in Brenham Memorial Chapel.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m., Friday, September 1, 2017 at Prairie Lea Cemetery with Pastor Harry Brisco presiding. A memorial service will follow at a later date.

Born February 20, 1942 in Naples, Texas, John was the son of Helen and Jeff Howard. He spent his early years in Madisonville, Texas. The family moved to Paris, Texas when John was in 8th grade. John received his degree in Business Management from Texas Christian University in 1964 and completed the Ranch Management program the following year. John married Sheila Steele in 1965 and worked for the R.C. Buckner Ranch in Jacksonville, Texas until joining the USAF, where he served for four years. He then joined his father in the construction industry in Paris, Texas, where his two children, Sutton Lea and Marrit Lynn, were born. The family moved to Houston, Texas in 1973, where John worked for Steele Construction Company and later Layton Bridge Company. He retired early and moved in 1991 to Austin County, where he and his wife became hay producers. John was instrumental in the formation of the Bluebonnet Water District because he believed that water was an important resource to be protected. He represented Austin County in the Region 10 water conservation planning district.

John loved and respected his land, believing that he was its custodian and not its owner. He wanted to leave it better than he found it. He was the winner of the Coastal Bermuda division in the state hay show of 2001 and numerous local hay shows, sponsoring, with others, the Austin County hay show. He was a member of the beef and forage committee of the Austin County Extension Service.

Preceded in death by his daughter Sutton in 1982, he is survived by Sheila, his wife of 53 years, daughter Marrit, and grandson William Ingman.

The family conveys special gratitude to friends Wendy and Rob Yates and John Stephens for making his final journey easier.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to your favorite charity or Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley-John H. Howard Memorial Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 2622, Bryan, TX 77805.

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, Texas 979.836.3611. To share tributes visit www.BrenhamMemorialChapel.com.