JASPER HOWARD

Jasper Smith Howard of Texarkana, Texas passed away January 25, 2023 surrounded by his four children.

He was the first child of three born to V.E. and Ruth Howard from Conway, AR. While on a family visit to West Monroe, LA, he was born the evening of Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1932. His mother, Ruth, told the story many times that she had Thanksgiving dinner then went to the hospital and had a large Thanksgiving turkey that evening. His first and last birthdays (90 years of age) were on Thanksgiving Day. The majority of his youth was in Greenville, Texas. His parents instilled by example a strong work-ethic in their children. He was involved in many school and extracurricular activities: he was the bat boy for the Greenville Semi Pro team with Monty Stratton, and gathered and sold onions from local fields door-to-door; sold small bags of popcorn to weekend shoppers in downtown Greenville; sold Grit magazine and tried to win big bucks by staying on a touring bucking elephant for a short period of time (unsuccessful) and worked at food counter/grill learning to cook hamburgers. He played and lettered in football, basketball, and track during his Greenville Lion days. He was president of his senior class and enjoyed maintaining contact through reunions and phone calls with his lifelong friends.

He attended Abilene Christian College (now University) and at the beginning of his second year was swept off his feet by meeting the love of his life, Peggy Bobo, during her first week at school. By the end of her senior year, Jasper was enlisted in the Army and he and Peggy were married. During college he sold jewelry and engagement rings to fellow classmen, insurance, worked the oil fields in West Texas and again, made lifelong friends all along the way. He was active in college life by being class president of his freshman, sophomore and junior years and vice-president of his senior year.

He served in the army in West Germany during post WWII occupation as a personnel specialist. He and Peggy traveled Europe during this time. Their first child, Leslie, was born at the army hospital in Germany. Very much the patriot, he gave speeches for schools on Veterans’ Day and loved to discuss history with anyone. He loved both the American and Texas flag and always flew large ones in his front yard.

After discharge from the Army, he lived and worked in Greenville, Texas. Jasper learned of a new concept of large discount stores and purchased rights to own/operate Gibson Stores. Moving to

Texarkana to begin his discount stores, he worked with his father, V.E, and brother, Ed. They reincorporated these to Howard’s Discount Centers and expanded the number and reach of their stores throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas.

In addition to working full time with the discount stores, Jasper strongly believed in the value of a Christian education. He was involved with supporting, helping, and leading two Christian universities to find the best paths for their growth. He loved and was proud to serve 39 years with Abilene Christian University’s Board of Trustees while also serving 50 years as founding member of President’s Circle with Harding University. In addition to church involvement, he believed in involvement in his community. He was an active member on the Board of Trustees at Commercial National Bank for 38 years.

A devout and strong Christian, one of his greatest joys was time spent with Walnut Church of Christ serving many years as a deacon and then as Elder for 32 years. He supported members emotionally, physically, monetarily, and spiritually even past retiring until his final days. Their home became a regular meeting place for youth meetings, Christmas, and New Year parties and more. He visited and later checked by phone on friends and members who he knew needed support. He was known for personal delivery of slabs of bacon at Christmas time to local friends and families while wearing his holiday decorated hat and accompanied by one or more of his children. More recent family and friends received routine gifts of vegetables, tomatoes, fruit, and honey obtained from Mr. Trimm’s booth which he routinely visited and supported.

With the discount stores, school boards and church he did what he did best: reach out to help support others to grow and to become better. He loved his connection and participation with the people in the varied areas of his life; always ready to ask questions about their family, their health and to support them.

Jasper supported Peggy with her involvement in Women for the Arts, Garden Club, Music Club and hosted many meetings and parties at their home. Many friends’ weddings, showers and engagement parties were held at their home and gardens.

Of all of Jasper’s activities and commitments, his greatest pleasure was spending time with his family. He was an active and involved father and grandfather, and dearly loved to plan and enjoyed activities with each.

Jasper and Peggy were married for 58 years. With her death in 2013, he continued to reach out and enjoy life but he grieved and missed her company; they had been a team in all things throughout their years. Four children were born to them: Leslie Arnold (Corvallis, OR), Anne Taliaferro (Edmond, OK), Jon Howard (Superior, CO) and Sara Miers (Texarkana, TX). He is survived by 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren along with his sister, Kay Young and a sister-in-law, JoAnn Howard. He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy; his parents, V.E. and Ruth Howard; a brother, Ed Howard; and one grandson, James Arnold.

Many years ago, Jasper began telling people to “Go Make Something Good Happen’ when he would leave their company. His children purchased tokens with this saying and his name and during his later years he gave out more than 400 of these tokens to people along his pathway.

His last year was spent in Cornerstone Retirement Community in Texarkana where he continued to make new friends while he received ongoing excellent care from staff there in addition to ongoing care/support from his children.

As Dad would say, “Go Make Something Good Happen.”

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Walnut Church of Christ, 2720 Moores Lane, Texarkana, Texas with Dr. John Cannon officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park under the direction of Texarkana Funeral Home, Texas.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 10, 2023 from 6:00PM – 8:00 PM at Texarkana Funeral Home, Texas.