Jim Howe

Howe, Jim 75 Feb. 21, 1939 Feb. 06, 2015 Longtime Portland broadcaster, Jim Howe, passed away Feb. 6, 2015, after a short battle with cancer. Jim was born Feb. 21, 1939, in Redfield, S.D., but spent most of his youth in Arkansas. After moving to Oregon as a teenager, Jim graduated from Tigard High School and from there, attended the University of Portland where he met his beloved wife, Marilyn. The two married in 1960, and by 1969 had grown their family to include five daughters. His early years in radio included reporting for stations in Crescent City, Calif., Billings, Mont., and Pendleton. In 1962, he joined KEX in Portland as a street reporter and quickly worked his way up to news director. Jim remained at KEX for 39 years covering many of the significant stories in the region. During his illustrious career, he covered everything from the birth of Packy the elephant, to Oregon Prison riots, the Columbus Day Storm, the assassinations of President Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. and the Mt. Saint Helens eruption. In April 2001, the Oregon Associated Press Broadcasters awarded Jim a lifetime achievement award. In addition to his newsroom duties, Howe also served as the color man for Oregon State Beaver football radio broadcasts from 1972 to 1986. He was a lifelong OSU fan and season ticket holder. The family was raised in Beaverton, and all five daughters attended Beaverton High School. Summers were filled with camping trips, boating and fishing and each of the girls grew to love the outdoors just as their father did. After retirement, Jim and Marilyn spent much of their time at their cabin on the Santiam River, attending their grandchildren's activities and spending time with family and friends. Jim is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marilyn; daughters, Cathy Martin (Mark), Patty Carrasco (Tim), Caroline Howe, Susie Trahan (Sandy) and Sharon Krauel (Jim); grandchildren, Chelsea Serrano, Lacey Khor, Bob and Asher Krauel and Zach and Kate Trahan; and brother, Bill Howe (Clare). A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances be made in Jim Howe's name to support the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. Please make your checks payable to the OHSU Foundation and mail to OHSU Foundation, Mail Stop 45, P.O. Box 4000, Portland, OR 97208-9852. To make a gift online, please visit: cancer.ohsu foundation.org.