John Thompson Howard

John Thompson Howard, 62, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, Thursday, October 27, 2022, at Novant Hospital in Huntersville, after battling cancer for several months. John was born in Statesville, NC on December 29, 1959. John was the son of the late William Parker Howard III and Julia McHenry Howard. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Statesville.

John was a 1978 graduate of Statesville Senior High School and was active in several school clubs including, the Basketball Team and his special love, the Golf Team. He attended Appalachian State University and graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. After graduation he began working at Bell and Howard Chevrolet, the family-owned dealership, to work alongside his father and sister. John began in sales and attended the General Motors Father/Son Management School in Detroit, Michigan.

He was General Manager until 2012. The family owned the dealership for 56 years. On April 12, 2014, John married the love of his life, Aimee Tomlinson. Eventually, John took a course at Mitchell Community College, where he found his passion for stain-glass, and became a stain-glass artist. He created many wonderful pieces for family and friends. He also had his work displayed at an art gallery on Bald Head Island, NC, where he sold several pieces through consignment.

John loved golf and was an avid golfer all his life. He was a longtime member of a local pool league, with several of his friends. John liked working in his yard, attending Panthers football games, boating on Lake Norman, and being with family and friends. He loved traveling with his wife Aimee, their favorite spot being Bald Head Island. John is survived by his wife Aimee, daughter Emily (Jamey) Phillips, grandson James Tyler Phillips II, brother James (Janet) Howard, sisters Linda H. Howard and Genevieve M. Howard, as well as many loving extended family members and lifelong friends.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Bald Head Island Conservancy, www.bhic.org ; PO Box 3109, Bald Head Island, NC 28461 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org ; 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

A visitation will be at Nicholson Funeral Home on Thursday, November 3, 2022, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, November 4, 2022, at First Presbyterian Church 125 N. Meeting St. Statesville, NC 28677. Nicholson Funeral Home has the honor of serving the family.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com