W. Kenneth Howett of Oxford

Ken Howett, 82, of Oxford, passed away in his sleep on October 6 at his home. He is survived by his wife of 60 years Doris “Cooky” Howett and his children Vicki Holcombe of Alexandria, VA (Tip); Michael of Philadelphia (John); Marjorie Smock of Ocean View, NJ (Craig); Michele Zook Bickling of Hockessin, DE (Clark), and his brother Howard. He had three granddaughters: Ellie Holcombe Rixham, Maddie and Megan Smock.

Ken was born in Lancaster, PA in 1936 and graduated from Solanco High School and West Chester State Teachers College. He was a teacher at Oxford High School for 32 years where as the Driver’s Ed teacher he taught thousands of young Oxfordians how to drive. He was Athletic Director and varsity basketball coach and in 1969, Coach Howett and his Hornets energized the town of Oxford by advancing to the semifinals of the PIAA state tournament. Ken was honored by induction into the Oxford High School Sports Wall of Fame and the Solanco Athletic Hall of Fame. Following his retirement from teaching, Ken and Cooky opened Howett’s Custom Screen Printing.

Ken was an avid waterfowl hunter and was a founding member and past president of the local chapter of Ducks Unlimited. He was an active member of Moore’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Elkton where he served in numerous leadership positions over the years.

Ken’s biggest loves were his family and friends and he easily and willingly filled multiple roles as family patriarch, loving husband and father, “best ever” Pap Pap, coach and good friend.

Visitation for family and friends will take place at Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. 86 Pine St., Oxford on October 9 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM and from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral service and burial will be at Moore’s Chapel UMC on October 10 at 10:30 AM (392 Blake Rd., Elkton, MD 21921). In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Moore’s Chapel UMC Trustees Fund.