James (Jim) Melvin Howard, Jr.

James (Jim) Melvin Howard, Jr., 88, of Snellville, GA, died Tuesday, January 4, at Northside Hospital Gwinnett. He was a victim of Covid-related pneumonia.

He leaves three daughters: Alisa Hudzina of Orange Beach, Ala., Denise Isola of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Michelle Burden of Roswell, Ga.; a son, James Danley Howard of Alabaster, Ala.; son-in-law Jon Hudzina of Orange Beach, former son-in-law Mike Isola of Lawrenceville, son-in-law Barry Burden of Roswell and daughter-in-law Kellie Howard of Alabaster.

His grandchildren are: Daniel Shaw of Alpharetta, Ga., Kali (Isola) Bohrer of Colorado, Anna (Howard) Sewell of Clanton, Ala., Matthew Hudzina of Statesboro, Ga., Michael Isola of Lawrenceville, Rebecca Howard and Danley Howard of Alabaster, and Jack Burden of Roswell.

His great-grandchildren are Mark Bohrer and Zoey Bohrer of Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia (Danley) Howard, whom he married on April 14, 1957.

Mr. Howard, a 1951 graduate of Connersville High School in Indiana, drove for his father’s trucking company before joining the U.S. Navy, where he served from 1953 to 1957. After his service, he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Indiana University.

Post-graduation, he enjoyed positions as a sports anchor for WKRC-TV in Cincinnati, Oh., and as a journalist for the Associated Press in Washington, D.C. Although the work was gratifying, the hours were demanding and as his family grew, he yearned to be home more on weekends and holidays. In the early 1970s, he accepted the position of Public Information Officer for the Southeast Region of the National Park Service (NPS), a job that resulted in relocating to Georgia.

In 1994, he retired from the NPS and pursued other passions, including working as a golf starter for both the Champions Club of Snellville, Ga. (now Country Club of Gwinnett) and The Standard Club of Johns Creek, Ga. During his time at The Standard Club, he was honored with Employee of the Month awards in July 1999 and March 2002. He also was named Employee of the Year in 2002.

A beloved storyteller with a broadcast-quality voice, eloquent delivery and endearing, dry sense of humor, Mr. Howard earned admirers and made friends nearly everywhere he went. In addition to his amazing memory, captivating stories and cunning joke-telling skills, he was known for his kindness and genuine interest in getting to know those he met. His devotion to family was paramount and he deeply treasured his friendships. He also loved road trips, Hoosiers basketball, Cincinnati Reds baseball, jazz music and Bombay Sapphire. His was a life lived with grace, compassion, humility and humor, and he will be greatly missed and remembered fondly by all those who were lucky enough to know him.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for April 2, 2022 from 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at The Standard Club in Johns Creek, Ga. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Howard’s memory to The Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or ALS TDI, 480 Arsenal Street, Suite 201, Watertown, MA 02472.