James Harry Howell, 94

James Harry Howell

Oct. 5, 1927-July 7, 2022

Jim was born in Buffalo, N.Y. to Lucille and Harry Howell, along with his older sister, Phyllis. He spent his youth in Buffalo and during summers as a teen worked on a local farm, which inspired him to pursue an agriculture degree at Cornell University.

After two years, however, he joined the Army during the Korean Conflict. During his time in the Army, he felt called to the ministry, so after two years of service, he returned to Cornell to complete his degree and then went on to seminary. While at Cornell, he met Sally Bame through the Cornell Westminster Fellowship, whom he married in 1951.

After Jim graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1953, the couple moved to Idaho, where Jim had accepted a call with the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. His mission was to develop Christian education programs, summer vacation Bible school programs and, ultimately, new church development throughout the Idaho panhandle. They eventually settled in Post Falls, where they began their family, with the arrival of daughters Ruthann in 1955 and Juleann in 1959.

Jim's farthest preaching point was 10 hours from home, so he decided he would learn to fly, and earned his pilot's license. His first plane was a cloth two-seater Aeronca, which he could land in the alfalfa field in front of his house. Over the years, he had four different planes and received generous support from many Presbyterian churches, both locally and nationally, which enabled him to provide his ministry. He became a member of the Civil Air Patrol, rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel, and spent many hours participating in searches for lost hikers.

During the course of his 40-plus years of ministry, Jim helped create many churches that built up enough congregation membership to call their own minister. He also helped develop numerous ministers who interned with him during their seminary years, many of whom became close family friends.

When Jim retired at age 64, he was the last mobile missionary in the lower 48 states. National Presbyterian leadership attended his retirement party, along with many of his congregants, colleagues and other friends. During retirement, he continued to be active in Presbytery and Synod committees and also provided intermittent interim minister support in area Presbyterian churches. He became active in the Post Falls Community Presbyterian Church and enjoyed the fellowship and many friendships developed there.

Jim’s greatest joy throughout his life was spending time with family. He was an active parent and greatly enjoyed doing things with his children, including boating, swimming, throwing footballs and teaching them baseball, going on family vacations and waking them up in the middle of the night to watch the lunar eclipse. One of the greatest gifts he gave his children was unconditional love, and the belief that they could do and be anything they put their minds to. He also gave them the gift of humor and the ability to laugh at themselves, as well as a sense of adventure. Both he and Sally lived their values and beliefs daily, which also informed their children about how to live your life in service to others.

Sadly, Sally passed away in 2006 after 54 years of marriage. A year-and-a-half later, Jim began a romance with Kiyoko Holmes, which was a blessing and a gift for both of them and they married in 2010. They both enjoyed traveling, spending time with friends and family and attending the CDA Opera and Symphony. Jim was also a committed philanthropic supporter of the aforementioned organizations, as well as his church, United Way, The Salvation Army, Wellspring Family Services, The Pt. Defiance Zoo Society and other organizations.

Themes in Jim's life were faith, flying, fun and family. He leaves in his wake many lives touched, a life well-lived and well-loved and one that leaves his loved ones with wonderful, fun, funny and generous memories.

Jim is survived by his wife, Kiyoko, daughter Ruthann and her husband, Tom Quackenbush, daughter Juleann and husband Richard Miller, grandchildren Hail, Jordan and River, Kiyoko’s son, Dan Holmes, and his wife, Amy, and Kiyoko’s daughter, Linda Stormont, and Kiyoko’s grandchildren, Liliana, Ashton and Fiona.

There will be a service and celebration of Jim's life on Thursday, July 28, at 11 a.m. at The Post Falls Community Presbyterian Church, 417 N. William St., Post Falls, Idaho, followed by lunch and a reception.

If people wish, gifts to the church in Jim’s honor would be welcomed/appreciated.