Jamie Mays Howe

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Brown Howe, his parents Otis Wilson and Harriet Mays Howe, and his brothers Otis Wilson Howe Jr. (Ruth) and John Hornor Howe.

He is survived by his children, Ellen Howe Gannon (Jack), Jamie Mays Howe Jr. (Martha), and Harriet Hornor Howe (Bob); his grandchildren, Jamie Mays Howe III (Susannah), Jack Trigg Gannon Jr., Virginia Howe Sasser (Campbell), Grace Ann Gannon Neff (Michael), Nancy Gannon Barczak (Michael), Kelly Katherine Howe Ball (Trevor), Peter Collins Simpson, Sara Simpson Fisher (Nathaniel), and Abigail Frances Simpson; and seven great-grandchildren.

Jim was born in Helena, Arkansas, on March 15, 1934. He lived on the Howe family farm in Wabash, Arkansas, and as a child attended the Wabash school for his early grades. He later attended Helena High School before graduating from The Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1952. He then enrolled at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, where he became a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. The following year he met his life-long love Nancy, a fellow Arkansan, who was attending Mary Baldwin College in Stanton, Virginia. Jim later transferred to the University of Arkansas where he completed his studies with a degree in business. He and Nancy were married on September 8, 1956. Following his enlistment in the Army and her college graduation, they began their married life in Augusta, Georgia, where Jim was stationed at Fort Gordon. They returned to Arkansas in 1959 to reside on the Howe family farm in Wabash, Arkansas. Jim became involved in several areas of Howe Lumber Company, the family business. He was engaged in farming, livestock management, and cotton gin operations. Fortunately, these activities slowed each year as duck season opened, allowing Jim to participate in his favorite outdoor activity...calling ducks.

In 1980, upon the sale of Howe Lumber Company, Jim changed his focus to broadcasting. He purchased and managed KFFA Radio in Helena, Arkansas. A highlight of his career came in 1992 when KFFA Radio, and its daily blues program King Biscuit Time, received a Peabody Award for the station’s support of a unique American art form. Jim sold the station upon his retirement in 2016.

Jim was committed to every organization he joined. He was an active member and leader of the American Red Cross, Arkansas Broadcasters Association, Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, Rotary International, and Southern Cotton Ginners Association. Always committed to their community, Jim and Nancy were ever-present at events supporting Helena or Phillips County. He served several terms on the Phillips County Quorum Court as a Justice of the Peace. In 1970, he and Nancy came together with a group of parents to start DeSoto School. Jim also served as President of the school’s board for the first two years. Jim was an active member of St. John’s Episcopal church where he served multiple terms on the church vestry. Jim and Nancy lived in Phillips County, Arkansas (Wabash and Helena) for 60 years before moving to Dallas in 2019 to be closer to children and grandchildren.

Along with duck hunting, Jim’s other favorite interests were Arkansas Razorback athletics, St. Louis Cardinal baseball, and the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He regularly attended games, meetings, and events for these organizations, and passed along his enthusiasm for each of these to his children.

Jim and Nancy were loving and devoted companions throughout their lives. They enjoyed trips with family and friends to England, Europe, Canada, the Caribbean, and destinations across the United States. They were committed to their children and grandchildren, attending as many events as possible that included graduation, dance, music, sports, scouting or horses. And whenever asked, Jim was quick to provide one of his famous smoked pork shoulders for the meal.

A funeral service for Jim will be held on Saturday, November 18 at 2:00pm at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Helena, Arkansas; followed by a graveside service for both Jim and Nancy at Maple Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday, November 18 at 12:30pm at St. John’s Church.

Arrangements to be handled by Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, Dallas, TX, www.sparkman-hillcrest.com, and Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, Helena, Arkansas. www.rollerfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers, please remember Jim with a gift to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 625 Pecan St., Helena, AR 72342, or DeSoto School Foundation, c/o Arkansas Community Foundation, www.arcf.org/desoto