Mr. John Edward Howard (Captain, U.S. Army, retired), age 88, of Clarkesville, Georgia passed away on Monday, September 7, 2020.
He was married to Shirley Lyons Howard for over 51 years. They had three daughters: Lynn Oglesby (Keith), Lisa Bullard (Carter), and Janet Geuter; twelve grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his wife Shirley, his parents Ned and Betty Howard, and three grandchildren—Luke and Gabriel Geuter and Pete Bullard. John has two siblings, David Howard and Anne Caswell.
In addition to his military service, John had a long business career based in Atlanta before relocating to Clarkesville, GA, where he personally built their new house. He and Shirley were involved and loving members at 1st Presbyterian in Cornelia, GA where John taught adult Sunday school and always helped with Vacation Bible School. They were involved in local ministries such as Sharing and Caring and Cursillo and mission work in Mexico. John and Shirley were very involved in Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), respectively. John served as chaplain for the Joseph Habersham Chapter of SAR and was recognized as SAR Chaplain of the Year for the state of Georgia. John served as a member of the Habersham County Board of Equalization for several years. After Shirley's death, John became a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Clarkesville. John was known for his ready smile; his love for God, family, friends, and community; his skill as a builder; and later in life for handing out wooden crosses to people as a witness to his faith in Jesus Christ. Of him one could truly say, "Well done good and faithful servant." John is loved by all who knew him and will be remembered as a kind, wise, generous, and fun father and grandfather and a good and loving Christian man.
The day and time for the memorial service will be announced at a later date.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to 1st Presbyterian in Cornelia, GA or Bethlehem Baptist in Clarkesville, GA.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel at 245 Central Avenue, Demorest, Georgia 30535. Telephone: 706-778-1700.
