Mr. John Crosson Howard entered the loving embrace of his Eternal Father on August 4, 2016.  He was 90 years old.

A lifelong resident of Monetta, “John C.” was known by his neighbors as a generous, enterprising and faithful man who loved to laugh, loved his church and, most of all, loved his family and friends.

John C. was the son of John William and Freeda Spradley Howard of Monetta.  He spent his career working as a depot agent for Southern Railways where weekly pranks between his co-workers became legendary stories retold and relived for years around the dinner table.  As a young man, he was very active in the Jaycees and was proud of what that organization was able to accomplish during his years as a participant.

He was a faithful member of Bethel Baptist Church his entire life.  During that time, he served his congregation in a roles ranging from Deacon, Church Clerk, Sunday School Director and choir member.  He lived a life in which his faith was always at the front of his mind.  From the time he was a young man until ailing health prevented it, he began each day with a devotional, a reading from the bible and time spent in prayer.

He enjoyed hunting and always had well-trained bird dogs who he treated like children.  He was a skilled tinkerer and always enjoyed repurposing discarded items (what some might call trash) into useful tools.  If he were born 50 years later, he might have been a mechanical engineer or inventor.  He was an avid woodworker, pecan-cracker and tool fixer.  In his later years, he ran a side business supplying local farms and orchards with specialized equipment.  Every customer got a good deal and a bit of yard-spinning.

He dearly loved his wife, Gertrude, to whom he was married for 67 years, his daughter, Nancy and his three grandchildren Julie, Matthew and John.  He was a very generous man who always had a few dollars or a piece of candy or a kiss for the people, particularly the children, in his life.  His family included his relatives, but it also included so many close friends they can’t all be named. All of them, this extended family of relatives and friends, took care of him, and were taken care of by him, many times throughout his life.

He is survived by his wife, Gertrude Yarley Howard of Monetta; his daughter, Nancy Howard Frick of Irmo; his grandchildren, Julie Frick of Lexington, Matt and Haley Frick of Chapin and John Frick of West Columbia; his great-grandchildren, Gabe, McKenzie and Ansley Frick of Chapin; and a special friend, Mel Frick of Edisto Island.

A celebration of his life will be held at Bethel Baptist Church in Monetta on Monday, August 8^th at 11:00 am.  Visitation will be held prior to the service and will begin at 10 am.

Bland Funeral Home, Johnston, is assisting the family with arrangements.  Please sign guestbook and send condolences to family at www.blandfh.com.