Obituary of Ralph Jacob Howard

Funeral services for R. J. Howard, 97, of Troup, will be held 2:00 pm Saturday, December 10, 2016 at Cottle Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Lance Lewis will be officiating the service under the direction of Cottle Funeral Home, Troup. R. J. Howard passed away Monday, December 5, 2016. He was born April 25, 1919 in Arp Texas to William and Nancy Howard. He was a lifetime resident of East Texas and served in the Army during WWII. R. J. was married to Mary Knight June 21, 1941 in the Union Grove community near Troup. He loved spending time with family; he enjoyed working, gardening and playing the fiddle or organ. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Mary Edna Howard, two sons, Ralph Dale Howard and Allen Howard, and eight brothers and sisters. Survivors include his son, Eddie Howard & wife Holley of Tyler; daughter JoAnn Northcutt & husband Edwin of Troup; six grandchildren, John Howard & wife Ciara, Jerrad Howard & wife Jaymie, Jay Northcutt & wife Judy, Elliot Howard & wife Christina, Kyle Howard & wife Lydia, and JoLynn Webb & husband Kenneth; as well as numerous great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be John Howard, Jerrad Howard, Elliot Howard, Kyle Howard, Dr. Mike Maris, and Lonny Uzzell. The family will receive friends and loved ones prior to the service from 1-2 pm at Cottle Funeral Home in Troup. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to the East Texas Medical Center Foundation, 1000 South Beckham Tyler, Texas 75701. Online registration and condolences are available at www.cottlefuneralhome.com