James Edward Howe

1941 - 2011

James Edward Howe, third child of Charlie James and Jean Ainsworth Howe, died on February 28, 2011 at Palm View Rehabilitation Hospital in Yuma after a long struggle with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. He was 69.

Jim was born in Hanover, New Hampshire July 9, 1941 and was raised on a family owned dairy farm in Tunbridge, Vermont before moving to Arizona. He graduated from South Royalton High School and the University of Vermont in 1964 with a bachelor's degree in Animal and Dairy Science. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and starting pitcher for the UVM baseball team.

He married Esther Colburn on June 22, 1963 and they decided to move west upon graduation from college. They settled first in Chandler and shortly thereafter moved to Yuma where Jim was an agricultural chemical salesman and farmed grain and citrus over a 40 year career. Jim was extremely active in the Yuma community first becoming a Fair Commissioner in 1971. He was President of the Yuma County Fair Board on two occasions, in 1979-1980 and again in 1998-1999. His other love was baseball and he coached a Babe Ruth team for many years and then served on the Babe Ruth Board of Directors for over 30 years. Hunting and golfing were his favorite pastimes and he played in every tournament possible to raise money for charity. Hunting season began with the opening of dove season and continued on into the spring. Most important was not the hunt, but the companionship of old and dear friends.

Jim's greatest loves, however, were his girls; two daughters, Gail and Tanya and his granddaughter, Brianna, for whom he was "dad" for most of her young life.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jean in 1999 and Charlie in 2008 and sister, Ann in 1946. In addition to his daughters and granddaughter, he is survived by his wife of 47 years, Esther, two brothers, Richard (Susan) of Lakeland, Florida, Alan (Patricia) of Tunbridge, Vermont and sister, Linda (Bruce) Bellemeur of Lakeland, Florida. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, 150 W. 28th Street on Saturday, March 26, at 1:00 p.m. followed by a reception in the fellowship hall immediately following the service. The reception will continue at Lutes Casino at approximately 3:00 p.m. for all family and friends. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Yuma, 1824 S. 8th Ave. 85364; Babe Ruth Baseball, c/o Arnold Duarte, 1355 W. 16th St. 85364 or the Deacon's Memorial Fund at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church.