Birth date: May 18, 1939 Death date: Jun 5, 2025
Colonel Jack Sheldon Howe, USAF (Ret.), aged 86, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2025. He was able to be with his wife, Martha Barineau Howe of 58 years, in his beloved home up until his passing. Born on May 18, 1939, in Flint, Read Obituary
Served under him at KAFB. Was a great man. When I did my reenlistment he did it. I’m a better man for knowing him.
SSgt Francis Brown
I worked with Col Howe as part of his front office staff during my time at Florennes AB. There was once a scheduled visit from the USAFE/IG team with plans to tour the WSA. Col Howe was a bit on edge with the IG team there, so some of the SPs cooked up a little prank and the IG played along. During the tour with Col Howe, the team passed by one of the guard posts. When the IG opened the door the Airman inside "appeared" to be sleeping with his beret crooked and over his eyes. He jumped up and started giving his post briefing to the IG. During all this, Col Howe just walked away in disbelief not really knowing what to say! Finally, someone let him know it was all just a prank and the area was fully under surveillance. The SNCO introduced the Airman as one of their best troops and he offered to go along with the prank. Everyone...especially Col Howe had a great stress relieving laugh that day! Col Howe was a good man and a great leader. God bless him and his family. MSgt (Ret) Jay Simmons
Got back from Jack Howe's funeral a little while ago. It was a moving experience. Jack was a great, kind of modern renaissance man (as the pastor reminded us). The relatively new National Cemetery is a beautiful place and very well appointed and cared for.
I don't know a word that captures the emotions of attending a funeral for such a friend, such a man, and in such a setting. From the manicured grounds, the 9-gun salute, and the presentation of colors to the attendees and afterward, properly folded, to Martha, instills that emotion. It's powerful. Certainly not joy, but also not sadness. It makes you feel, deeply, the strength of the passed man and at the same time the resilience of the living. What is that word?
Jack and I rode many miles together; on the bike and off, I learned Jack was a man of intellect, artistry, and curiosity. He recommended so many good books to me on such a wide range of subjects, they were always thoughtful reads. He was also the consummate storyteller, I felt so privileged as he told me about the people and events that shaped his life. His humor, dry to the bone, was keen. He was a good friend, a gentleman‘s gentleman, and he made a difference in our world💕
The Durango Trip Summer 2009
Jack and Dave Crawford drove Dave's Honda Fit with two bikes and a week's worth of gear to visit us in Durango for a week. It was one of the best weeks of cycling we can remember. Beautiful countryside, long climbs, and gelato in downtown Durango are just a few of the good times.
