John Blackwell Howdeshell III

Sadly, John Blackwell Howdeshell, III passed away on Father's Day, June 15, 2025, outside Utopia, Texas, at the age of 81. He passed at home after a two-year battle with cancer in the loving arms of his wife, Doris K. Howdeshell, and daughter Lisa Howdeshell Wicks. John was born to John B. Howdeshell, II and wife Louise in Dallas, Texas, on February 22, 1944. He was raised in Dallas where he attended public schools, including South Oak Cliff High School. John worked in restaurant management before earning his bachelor's degree in political science and history from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos in 1982, long before it became Texas State University. He completed some postgraduate and paralegal work while teaching at Floresville and Lago Vista High Schools.
John joined the U.S. Air Force in March 1961, and served in the Air Police where he was stationed in Taranto, Italy, guarding a NATO military base before being transferred to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, a significant strategic reconnaissance base. During his time at Davis-Monthan he guarded U-2 spy planes until his honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force in October 1963.
John lived many years in Austin before retiring and moving to the Texas Hill Country area, where he thoroughly enjoyed taking care of his little "Ranchito." Before retirement, he had worked almost 30 years in the real estate business in the Austin area, first serving as an agent before earning his broker's license and opening his own real estate business.
John was a lifelong avid college football fan and also enjoyed reading, golfing, and playing 42, but his passion for music was his primary hobby. He played the guitar and often sang with family and friends. He even enjoyed being part of a small band while in the Air Force. His beautiful baritone voice was the reason for one of the most thrilling experiences of his life while riding on a train in Colorado. Shenandoah, the famous country music group was on board, and the lead singer, Marty Raybon, invited John to sing with him.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John Blackwell Howdeshell, II and Louise Nagle, stepfather Robert M. Nagle, sister Junie Howdeshell Bartmess, and father-in-law Marvin Kellner. He is survived by his wife, Doris Kellner Howdeshell, daughter Lisa Howdeshell Wicks, son-in-law Gregory Wicks, and granddaughter Sophia Marie Wicks; mother-in-law Edna Kellner of Utopia, brothers-in-law Milton Kellner and Claudia of Lampasas, William Kellner and Lanell of Utopia, and Mike Kellner and Jenny of Uvalde; and brother-in-law Charles Robert Bartmess of Ben Wheeler, Texas. He also has numerous nieces and nephews.
At John's request, there will be no formal service at this time. He will be cremated, and his ashes will be placed with his wife in her coffin when the time comes. They will then be buried together in the Vanderpool Cemetery north of Utopia, Texas.
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