Come-and-go visitation for John will be held on Thursday, March 25, 2021 from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services Chapel, 7720 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73159. A Rosary service will start at 5 p.m. on Thursday in the Chapel. The family has requested that masks be worn during the visitation and services for John. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 26, 2021 at 10 a.m. at the St. James the Greater Catholic Church, 4201 S McKinley Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73109 with burial to proceed to Resurrection Cemetery in Oklahoma City, OK. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to - Catholic Medical Mission Board, cmmb.org.
John Jay Howell of Oklahoma City passed from this life on March 23, 2021 in Norman, OK at the age of 66. He was born May 16, 1954 in Lake Charles, LA to Elmer J. “Buz” and Helen Phillips Howell. The family transferred multiple times with the military before settling in Oklahoma City where they were parishioners at St. James Catholic Church. John attended St. James Catholic Grade School and Mount Saint Mary High School (class of 1972). After working for a few years, he met Helen F. Palmer and they were married in Oklahoma City on April 27, 1979. John and Helen raised their family right around the corner from his parents and across the street from their church.
John was a hard worker and fought for the livelihood of his coworkers. He was a huge sports fan who enjoyed supporting local teams. He relished the opportunity to attend hockey games with his son, John. He was a lifelong fan of the Yankees, Packers, and Sooners. He loved the outdoors, especially fishing with his kids and grandkids. His faith, passed down from his parents, was very important to him.
John was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert S. (1963), sister Janet T. Huffines (2020), and grandson Michael Ringwald (2004).
Survivors include his wife Helen, son John R. Howell and wife Jhuvy of Mustang, OK; daughters: Jennifer Ringwald and husband Richard of Morrison, OK; Julia Neuenschwander and husband Charlie of Yukon, OK; brother, James Howell and wife Donna of OKC; sister, Brenda Watson and husband Wane of OKC; 14 grandchildren and 7 nieces and nephews.
