John Chase Howell

John was born on December 29, 1928 in El Paso, Texas of parents James Harris Howell and

Marion Chase Howell.

John attended elementary school in El Paso and middle/high school in

Wichita, Kansas. In 1946, he enlisted in the United States Army and saw service with the First

Cavalry Division in Japan in 1947-48. Upon completing his enlistment, John enrolled in Texas

Christian University, where he earned Bachelor's and Master’s degrees. He earned his Ph.D. at

Duke University, then worked as an instructor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.

During that time he met and married Kay Marsh, a fellow graduate student. Thus began the

most important, satisfying, and fruitful relationship of his life.

In 1958 he joined the faculty of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Michigan

State University serving in multiple capacities. He participated in the initial planning and

organization of what became the College of Social Science and subsequently served as

Assistant Dean, then Associate Dean. When the University was authorized to establish the

College of Medicine, he participated in the initial planning, organization and subsequent

administration of that college and then served as an Associate Dean. In his later years at the

University, he served three Provosts in the capacity of Assistant Provost for Health Programs.

In 1982, John retired from the University. In 1984, he joined his wife Kay, who was then serving

as Executive Director of the newly established Michigan Dyslexia Institute. The remainder of his

life focused upon developing services for children and adults with dyslexia throughout Michigan

and the nation. He served the Michigan Dyslexia Institute in a number of capacities including

Director of the Abrams Teaching Laboratory and Director of Programs/Research. He was still

contributing as a consultant to the Institute at the time of his death. John’s commitment to

services for children and adults with dyslexia extended beyond Michigan. He was a Founding

Fellow of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (1995), the certifying

and accrediting body for practitioners and educators of the Orton-Gillingham Approach. He

served as a member of its Board of Trustees and as an officer for a period spanning 20 years.

John is survived by Kay, his wife of 66 years, daughters Marsha Chance and Ann Howell, and

granddaughters Alison Chance and Lauren Chance.

His last thoughts were of his love for this family who had enriched his life. His family remembers John as a man of integrity and honor who always put others first and asked for nothing in return. They will miss his wisdom, warmth, unconditional acceptance, patience, and generosity.

Those who wish to remember him are invited to do so by making a contribution to the Michigan

Dyslexia Institute (https://www.dyslexia.net/donate).