Harry Claypool Howell, Jr.

Sunset Memorial Park
Funeral Home and Crematory, LLC
1700 Barrington Rd. Midland City, AL
(334) 983-6604
Robert and Toni Byrd

www.SunsetMemorialPark.com

Harry Claypool Howell, Jr. went home to be with the Lord on November 4, 2015. He was 81.

Harry was preceded in death by parents, Harry Claypool “Hap” Howell and Grace James Howell; grandparents John Eli Howell and Clara Crow Howell, and Frederick Alexander James and Ida Clay James; brother James Eli Howell; sister-in-law Becky Brown Beatty and brother-in-law Jackson Gibbs Beatty; grandson Clinton Williams Taylor; and Mildred Frazier.

Harry is survived by his wife of nearly 59 years, Beverly Brown Howell; two sons Harry Claypool Howell, III (Lisa) of Dothan and Clyde Clinton Howell of Charlotte, NC; and a daughter Judy Grace “Honey” Howell Taylor (George) of Birmingham; and grandchildren Hayden Elizabeth Howell, Melanie Howell Elmore (Nick), Harry Claypool “Hap” Howell, IV, George Malcolm Taylor, IV, Lottice Howell Taylor, and Emma Bolling Hall Taylor; and nephews John Eli Howell (Tina), James Davis Howell (Stacey), Eric Weeks Howell (Christy), Daniel Everette Howell (Andrea), Jackson Gibbs Beatty, Jr. (Beata), Jim Bowen Thagard, Jr (Carolyn) and Kent Bennett Thagard (Heather); and nieces Sue Anne Howell Deese (Mark) and Bethany Beatty Duggins (Nathan), step brother-in-law, Jim Bowen Thagard (Martha) and Princella McClendon Thompson.

Serving as pallbearers are Hamp Baxley, Keener Baxley, Bill Blount, Reid Dove, Pat Jones, Pete McInish, Steve Shaw, Arch Solomon, Warren Thompson, and Sam Vann. Honorary pallbearers are the Church Golf Group.

Harry was born July 23, 1934 in Selma, AL. (His daughter, Honey, and granddaughter, Emma, share the same birthday.) He attended elementary school in Cuthbert, GA. He then moved to Dothan and attended Young Junior High School and graduated from Dothan High School in 1951. Harry earned his degree from Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now Auburn University. At API, he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After graduation, he returned to Dothan and joined his father in business at Howell Plywood Corporation where he spent the rest of his working years up to the present. During his career, Harry enjoyed working with hundreds of employees, customers, and suppliers. At the time of his death, Harry was serving as Chairman of the Board of Howell Plywood Corporation. His family has been in the wood business for over one hundred years.

Harry was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Dothan where he served as Deacon and as Elder. During his time as Deacon, he served as chairman of the Diaconate. He attended Gulf Beach Presbyterian of Panama City Beach, FL on frequent weekend trips to the beach. Harry was a long time member of the Dothan Houston County Rotary Club and served as club president in 1984-1985. The club honored him as a Paul Harris Fellow. Harry also served on the Board of Trustees at Houston Academy for many years.

Harry was an avid golfer. He enjoyed playing golf with his family and friends. He made many trips to Scotland, Ireland, and Pinehurst with his golf friends.

An enthusiastic sports fan, Harry went to three games of the 1955 World Series in New York, attended Super Bowl I in 1967, was a lifelong Atlanta Braves fan, spent many, many springs in Augusta at the Masters, and cheered on the Auburn Tigers for over 60 years.

Harry was gifted with the art of the one-liner. With a flash of his green eyes, Harry delivered spontaneous responses to everyday conversation that were often repeated with relish. He was a man who placed a high priority on friendships. His humility and heart of kindness meant a great deal to many people.

The family wishes to thank everyone on the Third Floor South of Flowers Hospital for the wonderful care they showed Harry over the last two months. Longtime friend and personal physician Dr. Chris Byard along with Dr. Calvin Reid, led a team of excellent doctors.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 3012 West Main Street, Dothan, Alabama 36303 at 2 p.m. on Monday, November 9, 2015, followed by a visitation in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 3012 W. Main Street, Dothan, AL, 36305, Attention: Grounds Committee, or the Southeast Alabama Camellia Society, 453 Rambo Mill Road, Cottonwood, AL, 36320 Attention: Bill Nichols, or Gulf Beach Presbyterian Church, 271 S. Hwy. 79, Panama City Beach, FL, 32413.

Robert Byrd of Sunset Funeral Home, (334) 983-6604, is in charge of arrangements. Please call us or visit www.SunsetMemorialPark.com for more information.