James Wayne Howard

James Wayne Howard, 72, was born August 29, 1940 in Warren County, TN and passed away February 1, 2013 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville following an automobile accident the previous evening in Moore County, TN. Mr. Howard had a varied career in the workplace. He was a Journeyman Tool and Die Maker and design engineer, then retired from Vanderbilt Hospital as a surgical technologist. He was a member of First Baptist Church in McMinnville. He was the son of Asa T. and Ola Mai Wilson Howard. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Brent Lindsey Howard. Mr. Howard and his wife, Janice McGiboney Howard, were married June 15, 1961. Other survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Peri and Woodrow Fowler of Savannah, GA; a son, Derek W. Howard of Charleston, SC; two grandchildren, Kurtis Kesey of Murfreesboro, TN and Kodi Kesey of McMinnville; two great-grandchildren, Braylen and Lileigh; two brothers and sister-in-law, Joe Lane Howard of McMinnville and Ronnie and Betty Howard of McMinnville; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Gail Askew of McMinnville and Barbara and Charles Reynolds of McMinnville. His wide variety of interests included traveling overseas, missions to Brazil, learning to play the cello/upright base, cross country motorcycle riding, swimming laps and 1/2 Ironman. He was a pilot having participated in numerous War Bird air shows, built experimental aircraft, a TSRA white water canoe instructor and swift water rescue, and also worked on the Apollo Space program. He also loved his dogs, Rosco and Raven, and horses that he trained. This list of activities doesn't scratch the surface of his interests. He will be missed but not forgotten. Visitation is scheduled Sunday, February 3, 2013 from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. and from 10:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Monday at Highs. The celebration of his life will be held at First Baptist Church Monday, February 4, 2013 with John May officiating and burial following in Mt. View Cemetery.