James “Jim” Oliver Howell, of Huntsville, AL, died at home Monday, February 3, 2025. Jim was born December 18, 1946, in Greenville, SC, to James T. and Allene Oliver Howell. He grew up in Decatur, AL, and was a graduate of Decatur High School. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Alabama, Huntsville. Later in life he earned his Master of Theological Studies from Candler School of Theology at Emory University.
Jim was very proud to work with IBM on several Apollo and Saturn space missions, his first job after college. He became a Senior Software Scientist and Chief Engineer with Intergraph Corp. and Sentar Inc., both in Huntsville.
Away from work, Jim was an avid sailor, pilot, skier, adventurer, and life-long learner. Jim’s life was shared with many in Huntsville and beyond. He taught some of the first discipleship classes at Trinity United Methodist Church; was part of the leadership of the North American Control-line Association; invested his time and energy into the students of Hampton Cove Middle School as a STEM club mentor; and travelled the world to learn and discover as much as he could. Jim loved and embraced the Scottish culture from the kilts to Robert Burns to the Scotch he so enjoyed. He was a patron of the arts, having a love of music from early in his life. He participated in the DHS band and later as a member of the Huntsville Concert Band and a board member of the Huntsville Chamber Music Guild.
Jim is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dianne Foster Howell; two children, Teri Evangelista-Hawks (Ed), and James W. Howell (Mary); six grandchildren; sister, Marlene Brown, brother, Teddy Howell (Lisa); several nieces and nephews; and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 11am on Saturday, February 15th, at Trinity United Methodist Church on Airport Road in Huntsville. Visitation with the family will precede the service at 10am.
In remembrance of Jim Howell’s life, the family asks in lieu of flowers charitable donations be made to St Jude Children’s Hospital, the Trinity United Methodist Church choir, or the charity of your choice.
