In Memory

James E. 'Cotton' Howard (Tuscola Tigers) - Class Of 1942

James E. 'Cotton' Howard (Tuscola Tigers)

James E. 'Cotton' 'J.E.' Howard

December 16, 1924 - November 24, 2013

 

J.E. "Cotton" Howard

Abilene

James E. Howard, 88, went to rest in the arms of Jesus, his Lord and Savior, on Sunday, November 24, 2013. A funeral service, with military honors, will be held at 1:00pm Saturday, November 30, 2013 at the Bronte Church of Christ, where he was a member. Burial will follow in the Dewey Cemetery, directed by Fry~Bartlett Funeral Home, Tuscola. A visitation for Cotton will be held from 4 to 6pm Friday, November 29, 2013 at the funeral home.

Howard, known to friends and family as J.E. or Cotton, was born on December 16, 1924 in Hardeman County, Texas to John and Harriet Swindle Howard. He will just miss celebrating his 89th birthday. Always sporting a radiant smile, Cotton never met a stranger and was gracious and kind to all who knew him. He graduated from Tuscola High School in 1942 and joined the Marine Corps. After serving his country during WWII, he settled in Midland, Texas to work in the oil industry. This work led him to positions in Oklahoma City, Odessa, Abilene, San Antonio, Corpus Christi and finally to Saudi Arabia. Then they settled in Houston where he retired from TIW Corporation (A Pearce Industries Company) in July of 1994.

Cotton married Hazel Williams on May 25 1946 in Abilene, and they had two children before her death in 1960, Carla Kay and James Kent. After Hazel's death, he married Coleen Joy Raper, who had three boys, Terry Wayne, Tommy Wade, and Larry Lynn. Two years after Coleen and Cotton married, they had a child, Robin Nancille.

He is survived by his children, Carla Kay Howard Moore and husband Tom of Lubbock, Texas, Terry Wayne Howard and wife Mary of Katy, Texas, James Kent Howard and wife Cheryl of Castroville, Texas, Tommy Wade Howard and wife Jodi of Seguin, Texas, Larry Lynn Howard and wife Deb of Blackwell, Texas, and Robin Nancille Howard Gandy and husband, Geff of Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas.

Cotton was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Coleen Joy, his parents John and Harriett, four brothers, Buck, Tice, Oliver, and Victor, four sisters, Rachel, Verna, Ruth, and Mary.

An extremely proud grandfather, he will be missed tremendously by his 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren-they will miss their "Grandpa Cotton Candy". Cotton was also an admired uncle to countless nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He taught all, that Jesus is the Lord of life-His kind spirit and love for others made it simple to see in the way he lived.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations made to the Marine Corps Toy for Tots, C/O 1stSgt Israel Rivera, 220 2d St, Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene, TX 79607, or the charity of choice .
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Published in Abilene Reporter-News on Nov. 28, 2013