# 18
Hometown: Fort Thomas, KY (Highlands)
Position: G Playing Height: 6-0 Playing Weight: 163
Date of Birth: October 5, 1926
Date of Death: October 18, 2024
Legal Name: James Robert Howe
Additional Photos: (1) (2)
Game by Game Statistics
Kentucky Career Notes:
Multi-Sport Player [Football]
Post-UK Career Notes:
Served in the Military
| Season | Games Played | FG | FT | FTA | % | F | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1944-45 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 18 |
| Total | 5 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 18 |
Obituary - James Robert Howe, Geo. Rohde & Son Funeral Home (October 18, 2024)
James R. Howe of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away on October 18, 2024 at the age of 98. He died peacefully surrounded by his most loving wife of nearly 77 years, Marge Howe, and many of his family who supported him around the clock in his final weeks.
Jim was born in Ft. Thomas, KY on October 5, 1926, the youngest of 4 children of Albert and Marie Howe. Jim was preceded in death by his brothers, Albert and Richard Howe and his sister, Ruth Kruer. In his youth Jim exhibited a great deal of natural talent in sports, matched with his determination to excel in whatever he put his mind to. He became an all-state basketball and football player at Highlands HS and then recruited to be a rare two sport athlete, both basketball and football, at the University of Kentucky where Jim was coached by the legendary Adolf Rupp and Bear Bryant respectively.
Jim was a "first-round draft pick" of the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant during WWII. After the war, he returned to the University of Kentucky to continue his athletic and academic pursuits. Though drafted into the NFL by the Green Bay Packers, Jim declined in favor of going into business and starting a family. Jim graduated from Kentucky with a degree in mechanical engineering.
Jim met his wife, Marjorie Macke Howe in high school and it was love at first sight. They were married on December 20, 1947 and have celebrated 76 anniversaries together. Those events were always celebrated in a big way including with the Glenn Miller Orchestra at their 25th anniversary and others with travel with the family. Jim and Marge immediately went to work on starting a family and over the course of the next 15 years had 9 children.
Jim also began to build his business representing and selling electrical heating and control equipment, and then in 1962 started Big Chief, which fabricates and distributes electric process heating and temperature control products. As Big Chief grew Jim was able to bring 4 sons and 1 daughter on to run the business, allowing him to pursue his other passion - tennis. Having that fierce determination to be the best at whatever he did, Jim worked on developing his tennis skills daily and built a tennis backboard in his backyard to allow him to hit whenever he wanted. Eventually Jim became a nationally ranked player starting around the age of 50 and for many years thereafter. Jim also enjoyed big band music and played the drums throughout his life.
Most important to Jim was his family that he loved gathering together as much as possible. Christmas Eve was mandatory at their home on Chardonnay Ridge and often numbered as many as 75+ as the family continued to grow. It was loud, chaotic and a blast! At the time of his passing Jim had 9 children, 31 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren with the majority still residing in Cincinnati.
James Robert Howe, beloved husband of 76 years to Marjorie Macke Howe, loving father to Jim Howe, Jr., Beth (Ed) Worland, Bill (Janie) Howe, Barb (Jim) Gulyas, Bob (Jennifer) Howe, Don (Sarah) Howe, Terry (Heather) Howe, Amy Howe and Jeff (Kathleen) Howe. Jim is also survived by 31 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Christ the King Church on Friday, October 25, 2024 at 11 AM. Condolences can be expressed at Rohdefuneral.com and memorials can be made to the charity of your choice.
