He was a retired special agent with the United States Secret Service, a United States Coast Guard Veteran and was a Baptist. Mr. Howlett was a Monticello High School graduate before enlisting in the Coast Guard. He then received a degree in Police Administration from Michigan State before coming back to Monticello. He there helped his father in the lumber yard business, Howlett's Building Supplies, until he received his appointment with the United States Secret Service.
John Joe joined the Secret Service on October 1, 1962. He reported to the New York City Field Office and went from there to serve on detail for Vice-President Lyndon B. Johnson. From there he served the detail that guarded the famous Mona Lisa painting while it was in Washington, DC and from there to New York.
He left New York and came home to marry the love of his life of 50 years, Betty Lou Miller Howlett. He was then transferred to Dallas Field Office in February of 1963. It was there that former President of the United States, John F. Kennedy was assassinated where Mr. Howlett performed intense investigations on this tragedy. After the assassination, he assisted the Warren Commission report for about a year.
In 1966, he and his family reported to the forgery division Headquarters in Washington, DC. From there he coordinated the investigations of United States Savings Bonds. He remained there until September 1969 when he had the opportunity to transfer to the Little Rock Field Office. John Joe retired in December of 1989 where he began volunteer work for the Little Rock Public Schools and the "Seven On Your Side" edition on Channel 7 News.
He enjoyed his retirement just doing as he pleased. He was an avid hunter and cherished spending time with his family. John Joe was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.
His survivors include his wife of 50 years, Betty Lou Miller Howlett of Little Rock; two sons, John Howlett, Jr. and wife, Stephanie of Hensley and Lew Howlett and wife, Karen of Greenbrier; his daughter, Kathy Mayo of Conway; one brother, Byron P. Howlett, Jr. and wife, Billie Kite of San Antonio, TX; a sister-in-law, Emma Jean Wiscaver of Monticello; two granddaughters, Sarah Mayo and Jessica Howlett; six grandsons, Zack and Jacob Mayo, Justin, Hunter, Colton and Easton Howlett; a very dear friend and neighbor, Aletha Sneed of Little Rock along with her children Christy and Craig; and many nieces and nephews.
The family will gather at the Annswood Apartments Community Room located at 570 W. Conrad Monday afternoon before the visitation at the funeral home.
Condolences(28)
R. Pettigrew
, CO Friday, October 18, 2013 With our deepest condolences.Acts 24: 15
BOB BOYD
AVONDALE ESTATES, GA Thursday, October 17, 2013 BYRON, SORRY TO HEAR THE NEWS ABOUT YOUR BROTHER. I DIDN'T KNOW HIM VERY WELL AS HE WAS A BIT YOUNGER THAN ME. I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE WRITE UP ABOUT HIM. IT DIDN'T SURPRISE ME ABOUT HIS ACCOMPLISHMENT AS HE CAME FROM ONE OF THE FINEST FAMILYS IN MONTICELLO.Vicki and Greg Oliver
Denison, TX Thursday, October 17, 2013 We wanted you all to know we were there the past few weeks in rather and in spirit. Karee and I were able to be there with the boys so John and Steph could be there for John Joe and your family. I know John spent all the time he could with his dad, helping him with appointments, listening to him, and helping him in any way possible. Those were precious times for John and Steph. We will still be praying for the families. May God bless and keep you all....Brent
Maumelle, AR Wednesday, October 16, 2013 John Joe was all ways kind to me and he will be missed. I have plenty of good memories with him and his family at his house, duck hunting and deer camp. Growing up I spent many a evening at his house, watching TV, cutting up, getting Betty lectures, eating their grapes and showing up at the right time for a steak or two : )When he did something he allways paid 100 percent to the detail. I've hunted in his custom built deer stands that no one but John Joe could build. We used to joke about all the supplies that he took with him while deer hunting, but if you ever needed something he would allways have it on hand. His deer stand seemed to have like 6 months of food supplies stocked on the shelf.
My family's thoughts and prayers will be with him and his family.
Ben Leonard
Cabot, AR Tuesday, October 15, 2013 So sorry Betty my prayers will be with you and your family. I hold precious of you and the Miller familyAlan Kolwaite
Dadeville, AL Tuesday, October 15, 2013 John Joe was a friend and gentleman. Working with John when stationed in Little Rock in the mid 1980's was an honor. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He will be missed.Cindy Durnal
LITTLE ROCK, AR Tuesday, October 15, 2013 I'm so sorry to hear about John Joe aka (pa) my prayers are with the whole family during this time in your life.prayers always
Cindy
Guido Capizzi
, NY Tuesday, October 15, 2013 Guido here.Michael J. Shannon
Grand Rapids, MI Monday, October 14, 2013 Another Old Timer from the days of LBJ VP Detail; the Mona Lisa Detail; and a fellow NYFO agent and Michigan State UniversitySpartan passes on. I too served during those years starting during August 1962 at NY City; then off to Washington with LBJ's
Detail; and the Mona Lisa Detail; and on 11-22 at Dallas I was the lone agent working midnight to 8am with the Johnsons at
Fort Worth; then the horror of the events at Dallas.....I knew John Joe well. He was a fine agent and dedicated to the job.
Be proud of his service to this country......he was a good man!
He will not be forgotten!
Karee Earnhart and family
Denison, TX Monday, October 14, 2013 So sorry for your family's loss. I know how much he loved his family, and they loved him!!! Praying for comfort during this sad time.With Love,
The Earnhart Family
Bobby Garrett
Cumming, GA Monday, October 14, 2013 I had the privilege of knowing John Joe through our service in the USSS. He was one of the real "good guys" and was an instant friend. My heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to his wife and family.Ruth Cherry Moffatt
Monticello, AR Monday, October 14, 2013 Thinking of your family with sympathy. Remember both the Howlett and Miller families fondly.jennifer and bert mayo
Fayetteville, AR Monday, October 14, 2013 So sorry for your loss. Prayers and thoughts with you Kathy and Lew and family during this time. jennifer and bert mayoJason Pederson
Little Rock, AR Monday, October 14, 2013 John Joe worked in our Seven-On-Your-Side office when I started in 1999. I got to work with him for several years. He was and remains one of our best volunteers. His life experience as a veteran and Secret Service agent made him a help and a blessing to any one who called our Help Line and were fortunate enough to have him answer the phone. I saw him at Cracker Barrel with Betty Lou in Little Rock a couple months ago. My condolences.larry miller
st louis, MO Monday, October 14, 2013 John Joe was a good friend to me in Little Rock when I first started in Little Rock when Harold Duke was the SAIC. I know he will be missed.Doc Holladay
Little Rock, AR Monday, October 14, 2013 A fine gentleman and faithful servant to his country, his family and his community has left us. It was an honor to have crossed his path. My condolences to his wife and children.Mattie Forte
sheridan, AR Sunday, October 13, 2013 So sorry for your loss.Deanna and Ed Etheridge
Little Rock, AR Sunday, October 13, 2013 We were sadden to read of John Joe's passing. To Betty and the family we have you in our prayers and thinking of you all in this time of grief. May God bless you.francis f uteg
hartwell, GA Sunday, October 13, 2013 Betty and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of your loss. John Joes' college and career paralleled mine for many years and I had the privilege of working with him on many cases. He was a skilled investigator, a highly regarded agent, and a gentleman. It was a priviledge knowing and working with him.He will truly be missed by our band of SS brothers. Francis F. Uteg USSS (1965-1987) RetiredKen Vittitow
Fairhope, AL Sunday, October 13, 2013 My deepest condolences. I enjoyed knowing and working with John Joe in Little Rock from his arrival in 1969 until my transfer in 1971. We worked several cases together and as a new agent I valued his experience and advice.Debbie and Leonard Shamlin
Little Rock, AR Saturday, October 12, 2013 Betty, John, Kathy and Lew, you all have been in our thoughts and prayers. John Joe was one of the Few Good Men that walked this earth. We were all blessed to have had him serve our country. I will always remember John Joe having such a world of knowledge and having had walked such an interesting life. A wonderful husband and father and Pa......... He was! Our families had so many good times and memories together.Ii feel Mama and Daddy Cutt were at the gates of Heaven to welcome John Joe in. I know it has got to be heart breakening to have him not with you daily now.
We are also sending to you all and your families Hugs and love.
Love ya, Debbie and Leonard
Jackie and Ilene Berry Rash
Monticello, AR Saturday, October 12, 2013 Howlett FamilySorry for your loss.
Ilene Berry Rash M.H.S. class of 1954
Jackie Rash M.H.S. class of 1956
Bobby&Margaret Gilliam
Shreveport, LA Saturday, October 12, 2013 Our Prayers are for John Joe Howlett and familyWe were friends and at Monticello High School
though Older.
MARK HAYNES
MONTICELLO, AR Saturday, October 12, 2013 LEW, SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR DAD'S PASSING-MAY HEAVENLY FATHER GIVE YOU COMFORT AND PEACE AT THIS TIME.Janet & Mike Boore
Hardy, VA Saturday, October 12, 2013 Betty, John, Kathy and Lew.....My heart is broken for you and I feel your loss as John Joe has passed on to heaven, but I find comfort in the love & open arms that I know is embracing him in the hands of the Lord. I know Momma Daddy Cutt are with him this morning. We send love and a warm hug to each of you and your families and I am so thankful for the many glorious memories of John Joe. And I, too, thank him for his many years of service to our country.Jack T. Sloan
Dickson City, PA Friday, October 11, 2013 Betty i am so sorry to hear of John Joe's passing,he was alwasys very nice to me as i was growing up in Monticello, You and ur family are in my prayers and let me know if i can be of any help, Jack T. Sloan class of 1961George & Tommie Moyers
Crossett, AR Friday, October 11, 2013 Betty, John, Steph, Kathy, Lew & Karen and families,Letting you know you are all in our thoughts & prayers.
Uncle John is now at peace and breathing like a pro in Heaven. He fought a long, tough battle & he will be greatly missed. So thankful for the many memories we have to look back over and hold close to our hearts. Thankful too, for his service to our great country! Gain your strength from the Lord above. On the days, you think you can't take another step in your grief; God will carry you through.
Much love,
George & Tommie
Janice McAllister
Hot Springs Village, AR Friday, October 11, 2013 Betty, I am so sorry to read about John Joe's death. I will lift you and your family up in prayers. I pray God gives you comfort and peace in your loss. With love & sympathy, Janice Gladden McAllister