Jay Howell

HOWELL, Jay - age 82 of Fenton, formerly of Vero Beach, Florida passed away at Vicinia Gardens in Fenton, Michigan on October 23, 2024. In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place and he will be laid to rest at Shannon Rose Hill Cemetery in Fort Worth, Texas. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Jay to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).

Jay was born on February 8, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan to the late John and Wilma (Geyer) Howell. Orphaned at age 11, Jay and his brother, Jim, were raised by their paternal grandparents. In 1963, Jay married the beautiful and endearing Kay Price and together they raised four children. 

Racing cars on Detroit’s legendary Woodward Avenue laid the foundation for Jay’s drag racing dreams. And those dreams came true! Jay designed and raced the famed wheel standing Dodge truck known as the “Little Red Wagon” and built and drove many other record setting vehicles. Jay also worked as a General Manager for Logghe Stamping Company’s Competition Products Division producing numerous Funny Cars, Top Fuel dragsters, street rods and more, and later for Ramchargers Racing Engines where he developed their Detroit-area speed shops. His legacy lives on with his induction into the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame in 2008, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Hot Rod Association in 2018 and, in 2025, his induction into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame. 

In 1974, Jay and Kay decided northern Michigan was the best place to raise a family. They moved to Lakes of the North and Jay owned and managed a Goodyear tire service station in Gaylord. After 13 years, Jay sold his business and moved his family to Texas where he sold real estate and later became a Certified Financial Planner. Jay was devastated when he lost Kay to cancer in 2003. However, God blessed him with another wonderful partner when he married Diane Prince in 2006. Together they had many adventures. They spent eight years living aboard their sailboat “Far Niente” and traveled the Atlantic seaboard from Maine to the southern Bahamian Islands. Later they settled in Vero Beach, bought a motor home, and traveled throughout the United States.

Jay is survived by his children, Kurt (Darci) Howell of Coppell, TX, Brett (Katie) Howell of Fenton, MI and Kelly Giles of Lewisville, TX; grandchildren, Allie, Emma, Jack and Lily. Jay was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Kay in 2003; second wife, Diane in 2021; daughter, Kimberly Hatcher; brother, Jim Howell.

Online condolences may be shared on Jay's obituary page at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.