John M. Howard

John Morris Howard age 76 of McKinney, TX passed away on February 9th in Dallas, TX. The visitation will be Wednesday, February 13, 2013 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, TX 79606. Funeral services will be held at Beltway Park Baptist Church, 4009 Beltway South in Abilene, on Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Phil Christopher and Mike Hill officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home. John was born in Dearborn, Michigan on October 28th 1936. He married Annette Delores Howard on June 13th 1966 in Seguin, TX. They were married for 47 years. He served for 22 years in the United States Air Force in which he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star for valor in the Vietnam War, and the Air Force Commendation medal. He was the Dean of the Taylor County Bailiffs before he served as Constable for Taylor County for 8 years. He loved acting in Abilene Community Theater productions for many years. He was also an active member of First Baptist Church of McKinney, TX and enjoyed singing in the choir and going on mission trips. John is survived by his wife Annette Howard; son Brian Andy Howard and his wife Penny; daughter Robin Dawn Nechaev; brothers Ray Merle and Milton Gordon; sister Barbara Peevey; grandchildren Natasha Anand and spouse Adi Anand, Alexandra Lane and Zachary Howard; and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Brian Andy Howard, Andy Fiske, Adi Anand, Zachary Howard, Ron McCaskill, and David Lane. Memorials may be given to UT Southwestern Pulmonary Specialty Clinic. The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Beltway Park Baptist Church, Dr. Phil Christopher, Mike Hill, Dr. Corey Kershaw, and Dr. John Fitzgerald.