Jim Howie

James “Jim” Robert Howie, 69, of Gulf Breeze, FL, passed away on Wednesday, November 16, 2022.

Born on October 19, 1953, in Winchester, CT, under the given name of Michael Beadle, Jim would later be placed with a loving family from Groton, CT in 1956. The following year in 1957, he was legally adopted by this family, Robert Charles & Martha Schulze Howie.

Jim enlisted in the US Navy in December 1970 and was assigned to Ellyson Field in Pensacola, FL. There, Jim met and married the mother of his children, Francine Elaine DeBroux. Jim and Francine were married on August 24, 1974, and had two children, James “Jimmy” Robert Howie, Jr. (July 1975) & Jessica Michelle Howie (November 1976). After his enlistment, Jim remained in the Pensacola area and became a professional painter and was a member of Pensacola’s Painters & Allied Trades Union 737 for many years.

Jim & Francine later divorced and lost their son, Jimmy, in a car accident in March 1992. The loss of his son, Jimmy, forever left an emptiness in Jim’s heart. Jim filled the rest of his life and heart with his abounding love for his daughter, Jessica Howie, and his two grandchildren, Mathaya Starlene Hill and RaShaun Jamison Hill.

Over the years, Jim wanted to know more about his biological family. With the assistance of his daughter, Jessica, Jim connected with two sisters from his biological father’s side. Although Jim never actually got to meet his sisters in person, he enjoyed chatting with them and learning more about his family background.

Although Jim was unable to locate his biological mother, he was able to connect with relatives of his mother. Jim’s desire to know more about his biological history had nothing to do with not having a loving family growing up but more about just filling in the pieces for himself.

Jim lived most of his life in Florida but relocated back to the New England area. During this time, he married Kathie Howie and they lived in the New Hampshire area for a few years. However, he learned quickly that he might have been born up north but was more a Florida native. The warmer weather was for him, so he returned to Florida and remained until his death.

Jim was a quiet man, but if you knew him then you knew some of the things he loved. He loved his daughter and his grandchildren. You could often find him being dragged along on the many outings they would take. He loved grilling out and was known as the grill master at all the BBQs. He was a Harley enthusiast and owned a few Harleys over the years and enjoyed his poker runs such as Toys for Tots or riding with friends at the Legion. He also loved telling his stories about his past to his grandchildren.

Jim did not conform to the world’s ideas and often lived his life as he wanted. He could not be kept in a box and was more of a free bird than most. He lived a simple life, but a life that will leave an impact and a legacy behind for all the years to follow.

Jim is preceded in death by his mother and father, Robert & Martha Howie; a brother, William “Bill” Howie; his first wife, Francine DeBroux; as well as their beloved son, Jimmy Howie.

Jim is survived by his daughter, Jessica Michelle Howie & his grandchildren, Mathaya Starlene Hill & RaShaun Jamison Hill of Gulf Breeze, FL; three sisters, Lorna Sargent and Diane Geer of CT & Brenda Gray of VA.

Visitation will be held 11:00am until a Memorial Service to begin at 11:30am, Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at Community Life Church in Gulf Breeze, FL. Immediately following the Law Enforcement and the Patriot Guard will escort family & friends to Barrancas National Cemetery for the committal service to begin at 1:30pm.