Obituary
James Doyle Howard met every day with gratitude, faith, and an open heart. He had a gift for making everyone feel like a friend and for showing up for the people who mattered most. On October 31, 2025, he left this world the same way he lived in it—surrounded by love.
Jim lived his life with one unwavering priority: family first. Whether it was a last-minute call to pick up a stranded grandkid, sitting through a game in the pouring rain, or orchestrating his favorite Sunday family dinners, he was there. His love for his children and grandchildren knew no bounds, and cheering them on was his favorite pastime.
No one was a stranger. On vacation, he would be found in the hot tub, where within minutes he would know the story of everyone in the tub with him. Jim had a remarkable way of remembering names and listening in a way that you truly felt heard. His go-to question to every waiter, after asking their name, “So, what do you recommend?”—wasn’t just about ordering; it was his way of connecting.
He was a devoted husband to his wife, Jone. Theirs was a partnership rooted in love and glued together by deep respect, shared values and commitments, laughter, and true friendship. Over their 50 years together, Jone was asked to accept many a stray. She would say, “If it was unique, had four wheels, or four paws, he was going to bring it home,” with Jim’s justification always being, “I just couldn’t leave it behind.” If Jim loved something, he wanted to share it, and Jone took each adventure in stride, knowing it came from his big heart.
Jim loved the Lord. His faith was quiet, deep, and steady. His favorite things were the simple things: a cold beer, a conversation on the deck at the cabin, a second lap around Lake Limerick on the pontoon, the chaos that came with nine grandchildren, and all the seats at the dinner table filled by the people he loved.
He was the proud father of Whitney (husband Eric), McKenzy (husband Scott), and Garrett (wife Erin), and the adoring grandfather of Jack, Walter, Sam, Wyatt, Smith, Sadie Lou, Gracie Mae, Eve, and Ford. His greatest joy was being “Papa,” and his grandchildren will forever carry his encouragement, laughter, and love in their hearts. His children will miss the daily phone calls where he would ask about their days, celebrating even the smallest of wins as momentous victories. He was their biggest cheerleader, their sounding board, their counsel, and the one with whom they could do no wrong.
Jim is survived by his sisters, Jeanne Tiroux and Joanne Secord—both loved beyond measure. More daily phone calls. A bond forged during their years growing up in Kirkland with their parents, Walter and Kathleen Howard, generating stories that became family favorites.
Over the years, on the field and on the court, the grandkids coined the phrase “Play for Papa” as he encouraged them to always practice like you play, show up for your team, and leave it all out there. While his chair at Sunday dinner and in the bleachers may be empty, he will live on in all the stories told, every point scored, every act of quiet kindness, and forever in our hearts. In life, we will all Play for Papa—honoring him by loving each other, living with integrity, and doing our best.
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