Robert James Howard, better known as Jim, suddenly passed away on Friday, October 23, 2020 at the age of 75. He was born on April 20, 1945 in Hot Springs, AR to W.L and LaRue Howard. Jim has one sister, Judy and his brother Gene passed away in 2016. Jim was a 1964 graduate of Neville High School where he was an accomplished athlete in both football and track. He spent the next 4 years at Harding University in Searcy, AR as an All-American football player and graduate of the class of 1968. In the 1970’s Jim joined the family business started by his father W.L Howard and uncle Alton Howard. Jim took on many roles until eventually serving as the President of Howard Brothers Discount Stores which consisted of over 100 retail centers across the south. Howard Brothers would eventually sell the company to Gamble Skogmo who in turn sold it to Wickes Companies which eventually filed for bankruptcy protection in 1982. This provided the Howard family the opportunity to enter the warehouse club business opening the first Super Saver Wholesale Club in Shreveport, LA in 1984 with Jim serving as Executive Vice President. 3 years later Super Saver would be bought by the largest retailer in the country, Wal-Mart. Jim would spend his remaining years and semi retirement working on other family business. Jim had great love for his family, especially his parents W.L and LaRue Howard where Jim spent countless hours taking care of them during their declining years. Jim’s greatest love was for his children Stacy and Chad. Whether it was protecting Stacy from a 180 mph golf ball or picking Chad up from his latest fall, Jim would always be there. Late in life Jim was fortunate to meet Linda Devore. He would go on to say, I am the luckiest man in the world and I did not deserve to find her. Linda keeps me on my toes and keeps me going.

Jim is survived by his wonderful wife Linda Howard; his children, Stacy Howard, Chad Howard and wife Joy; Linda’s children, Ryan Redstone, Robert Redstone and wife Regina, Trenton Redstone, John Redstone, Leah Redstone Sheehey and husband Nick; grandchildren, Riley Howard, Cole Wright, Madison Clasby, Luke Clasby, Christian Duncan and wife Kamela, Olivia Duncan, Julia Sheehey, Johnny Redstone, Jr., Elliot Redstone, IV, Carol Cash and Kayleigh Cash; great-grandchild Kendrick Duncan.

Pallbearers will be Cole Wright, Luke Clasby, John Broderhausen, J.R. Jones, John Redstone and Ryan Redstone.

Funeral services for Jim Howard will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, October 30, 2020 at Forsythe Avenue Church of Christ.  John Dobbs will officiate.  Interment will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park in Monroe, LA. Visitation will be held from 4:30PM until 7:00PM, Thursday, October 29, 2020 at Kilptrick Funeral Home in Monroe, LA.