James Walter Howard

It is with great sadness that the family of James Howard announces his passing on July 17, 2025.

We are glad to know he was greeted with “Well done, good & faithful servant!” in heaven and had a celebration reunion with his family and friends that were “already there waiting for him” as he said many times recently.

James Walter Howard (aka Jim) was born in Devine, Texas on Sunday November 29, 1931, fifteen months after his brother David. The Howards moved to Dilley and then to Winters where Jim began 1st grade. They moved to Pleasanton when Jim was in 2nd grade. David & Jim soon had 2 younger brothers Billy & Stanley. Jim attended Port Neches High School his freshman year. Then he attended and later graduated from Pleasanton High School in 1949.

In the fall of 1949, Jim attended the University of Corpus Christi which was known for religious education at the time. While attending UCC, Jim worked for HEB store #7, often alongside HEB Jr. Jim often gave rides to Charles Butt (later CEO) since Charles was not yet driving. Mrs. HE Butt often shopped at this store and always chose Jim’s checkout line when she saw him working. Jim’s roommate at UCC was Grayson, who introduced Jim to Jane Wells. Grayson and Jane were friends at First Baptist Church Old Ocean. Grayson & Jim were visiting Old Ocean for a Christian Youth Conference. Jim and Jane first met in the living room of her parents’ house where Jim & Jane would later live in their retirement. Jim and Jane dated and were married in April 1952, in a garden wedding in Wells’ front yard. Their first meal after getting married was served by Harmon Dobson at the original Whataburger stand in Corpus Christi.

Jim’s first pastorate was at Berclair, TX in 1952-53. Jim and Jane were joined by daughter Shirley who was born in 1953 shortly before Jim & Jane both graduated from UCC. They moved to California soon after in September 1953 where Jim began attending Golden Gate Seminary near San Francisco. Jim worked for Western Sky Industries (a subsidiary of Douglas Aircraft) building AD5s and AD6s. He also worked for Dubby Brothers making silencers for machine guns and for General Cable making Romex. He pastored at Silverado B.C. in Napa. Their son Michael was born in Oakland in 1954. Jane’s parents were in a horrific car accident in September of 1955 and Jim, Jane and family moved back to Texas shortly after.

In 1956 they moved to Ft. Worth where Jim graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1958. Jim then became pastor at FBC Pawnee and Jane was a substitute teacher in math & science. Jane played piano and/or organ at the churches where Jim pastored, mostly in South Texas. They moved to Corpus Christi in 1960 where Jim pastored at Grace Temple B.C. Their son Mark was born in Corpus in 1962. The family moved to Premont in 1965 where Jim was pastor of FBC Premont.

The Howard family moved to Brazoria in 1971 where Jim was pastor of FBC Brazoria and a new church building was finished in 1977. Jim held several positions for the Gulf Coast Baptist Association including Chairman of Stewardship, Vice Moderator and Moderator. In 1980 Jim participated in a mission trip to Brazil with a group from Union Baptist Association. This was a precursor to a mission trip in 1982 to work in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Jim became the pastor of FBC in La Grange in 1981 and a group from this church (including son Mark) participated in the 1982 mission trip to Brazil.

Jim, Jane & Shirley moved back to Sweeny in 1987 to begin remodeling Jane’s parents’ house where they retired. In 1996-97, Jim & Jane taught in the IMB Seminary in Lusaka, Zambia where son Mike and his wife Lindy, and Jesse and Tabitha were missionaries for 25 years. Jim served as interim pastor of several churches in Brazoria & Matagorda Counties including Memorial BC in El Campo, Golden Avenue BC in Bay City and FBC Sargent. Jane played piano for Grace BC in Brazoria until 2023 when they both moved to the Richardson area.Jim was preceded in death by his parents Jesse & Rosanel Howard, wife Jane, daughter Shirley and son Michael, brothers David, Billy & Stanley.Jim is survived by daughter-in-love Lindy Brumbelow (David), his son Mark and friend Janna, grandson Jesse (Renee’), granddaughter Tabitha Ramos (Keith), great-grandchildren Eliana, Josiah, Kaden, Isaiah, Luke and Roan, sisters-in-law Jenny, Beth and Lola, and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank caretakers at Signature Pointe, Silver Leaf and Guardian Angels as well as Southern Grace Hospice and CC Young Hospice.Jim will be interred on July 25, 2025, at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in West Columbia, TX.The Howard family will have a joint Celebration of Life Service for Jim & Jane Howard at a later date.In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Operation Christmas Child at Grace Baptist Church, Brazoria, TX.

A graveside service will be held on Friday July 25th at 9:00 AM at Cedar Lawn Haven of Rest Cemetery, West Columbia.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.ctbakerfuneral.com