JAMES EDWARD "REX" HOWARD SR.
July 22, 1924-Oct. 3, 2011
DEEP RUN -- James Edward "Rex" Howard Sr., 87, affectionately known by many as "Monkey Wrench," 4712 Mark N. Smith Road, went home to be with the Lord Oct. 3, 2011.
A native of Lenoir County, he was born July 22, 1924, the oldest child of Rex and Ellen Howard.
He worked at T.A. Turner Tractor in Pink Hill for a year, and then at Turner's Tractor and Implement Co. in Kinston from the day the doors opened until the day the doors closed.
Upon his retirement from Turner's, he spent many years working with his son.
He was a lifelong farmer and an avid fisherman, who never passed up the opportunity to help anyone in need.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to all.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Wray.
His surviving family includes daughters, Syl Gray and husband, Bill, and Brenda Tyndall and husband, Dene; son, Butch Howard and wife, Wanda all of Deep Run; brother, Woodley Franklin Howard and wife, Myrtle, of Pink Hill; sister, Cynthia Smith of Deep Run; six grandchildren, Darryl Tyndall and wife, Lori, Michelle Gray, Deanna Smith and husband, Frank, Michael Gray and wife, Selina, Karen Kennedy and husband, Doug, and Morgan Howard; seven great-grandchildren, Brooke Gray, Rhiley Kennedy, Briana Smith, Molly Kennedy, Owen Tyndall, Emma Tyndall and Brenden Gray; along with his devoted caregivers.
Funeral services will be held at Pink Hill Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Memorial Park.
Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at the funeral home, and other times at the home of his son.
Online condolences may be sent to www.pinkhillfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on October 5, 2011 1:51 PM