Jack Lee Howell
Service: 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10, at Eagle Heights Baptist Church, with interment at Maplewood Cemetery; Visitation: Noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10, at the church, with arrangements by Roller-Christeson Funeral Home.
Jack Lee Howell, age 83, passed away Saturday, Aug. 4 (2018) at Hillcrest Home, following a brief illness. He was born in Harrison, on Oct. 4, 1934.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Loretta; his parents, Lee and Mae (Frederick) Howell; and his son-in-law, Scott Graham.
Jack graduated from Harrison High. Following graduation, he began working for M & F Office and School Supply as a stock boy and with his excellent work ethic eventually ended up owning the company. In 1951, Jack met and fell in love with a beautiful angel and after literally walking 20 miles to propose to her, married Loretta Root. They had two daughters, Linda (Paul) Jackson, of Florissant, Missouri, and Leisha Graham, of Harrison, and one son, Bill Howell.
Jack will be remembered as a gifted musician and singer. Beginning in his teens, he performed across Boone, Newton and Baxter counties in a family band with his father and uncle. In the mid-1950s, he was recruited by KHOZ radio personality Upton Horn to play lead guitar in his band, replacing guitarist Red Gale, who had gone to work for singer Porter Wagoner. The band performed regularly in northwest Arkansas, Branson and the Midwestern U.S. for many years.
He was also an able carpenter and cabinetmaker who built homes and buildings in Boone and Searcy counties. His exploits as a bass fisherman are the text of some local legends. He still holds a regional record for falling out of his boat nine consecutive years in his excitement after hooking a large black bass. In six of those nine unexpected swims, he still managed to land his fish.
Later in life, Jack served as music director for Bear Creek Baptist Church for five years before assuming a similar position at Batavia Baptist Church. His impromptu music programs at the Boone County Senior Activity and Wellness Center will be missed. Jack was a giving person who never passed by people in need without attending to them. He was a Christian who lived his faith every day and a man of integrity.
He is survived by his children, Linda (Paul) Jackson, Leisha Graham, Bill Howell; former daughter-in- law, Robin Ashley Howell; his seven grandchildren, Jordyn (Jay) Johnson, Sydney (Alex) Howell, Amber Shipley, Brodee Graham, Micah (Aaron) Howell, Noah Howell and Elijah Howell; and four great-grandchildren, Tegan, Miller, Liam and Murphy.
Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10, at Eagle Heights Baptist Church, where Jack had been an active member since 1965 and also served as a deacon.
Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10, at Eagle Heights Baptist Church, with the Rev. Max Edmonson and the Rev. Glenn Crenshaw officiating. Interment will be in Maplewood Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Brodee Graham, Eli Howell, Noah Howell, Jay Johnson, Jerry Cash and Paul Jackson.
The family expresses appreciation to the staff of Hillcrest Home and Washington Regional Medical Center and all those who have offered love and kindness for Jack and his family.
Sign the online guestbook at rollerfuneralhomes.com/harrison .
