James Alton Howie

GARNER - James A. "Jim" Howie, 87, of Garner died Saturday (May 14, 2011) at the Concord Care Center in Garner from complications of cancer. Graveside committal services will be held 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, May 18th at Concord Township Cemetery in Garner with Justin Asche officiating. A celebration of life fellowship will follow the service at the United Presbyterian Church, 475 Maben Ave. in Garner. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 P.M., Tuesday at the United Presbyterian Church in Garner. Cataldo Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements Memorials may be directed to the United Presbyterian Church in Garner. James Alton Howie, the son of Olin and Margaret (Maire) Howie, was born April 23, 1924 at Monticello, Iowa. He graduated from Monticello High School in 1942. On December 26, 1953 he married Dorothy Mae Baack Rae at Mason City. Jim opened "Howie Farm Supply", his first John Deere dealership in Monticello in November 1948. He relocated that dealership to Garner in 1951 and in 1975 changed the business name to "Circle H Inc.". Jim's wife, Dorothy and sons Jay and Jeff operated the dealership until the company franchise termination in 2002. Circle H was one of th...[more]

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ongest standing single proprietor John Deere dealers in the region. He enjoyed community service, gardening, fishing, talking to all kinds of people and time spent with family. Jim was well known in north Iowa for his sense of humor and knowledge of people, places and events. Jim was very active in the United Presbyterian Church in Garner where he served as an elder and trustee. He was involved in the Garner community as a past member of the Jaycees, Lions Club, Rotary Club and Garner Chamber of Commerce serving as board president in 1958. Jim also helped with the Garner FFA and Avery Theatre. He is survived by his children, Barbara (Keith) Lembo of Charlotte, NC, Jay Howie (special friend, Renee McClellan) of Hampton, Jeff (Jolene) Howie of Garner and Beth (David) Delagardelle of Waterloo; seven grandchildren, William, Jesse and Morgan Howie, Amanda and Alex Howie and Michael and Daniel Delagardelle; and a daughter-in-law, Roberta Howie of Garner. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, January 25, 2001; granddaughter, Maggie Mae Howie; his parents; and a brother, Olin, Jr. Howie.