James P. "Jim" Howell

AIKEN - Mr. James P. "Jim" Howell, 75, husband of Elizabeth "Libby" Howell, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2015 at his residence. A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM Monday, June 29, 2015 at St. John’s United Methodist Church Faith Center with the Rev. Dr. W. Timothy McClendon officiating. The family will receive friends in Ward Hall following the service. Interment with military honors will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, June 30 at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Born December 19, 1939 in Columbia S.C, he was the son of the late Evan S. Howell and the late Ina W. Howell Rice. Jim earned a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of South Carolina in 1967 where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, and a PhD in Materials Engineering at North Carolina State University in 1971. He served as a veteran in the United States Navy aboard the USS Luce (DLG-7) during 1963-1965. Jim worked for NASA as an Aerospace Engineer during the height of the Space Program. He later worked for DuPont/Westinghouse Savannah River Site from 1977 until his retirement in 2000, serving as Manager of The Ceramic Technology Group and as a Corrosion Specialist for Aluminum-clad spent nuclear fuel. He designed and implemented corrosion programs for aluminum-clad nuclear fuel in basin water storage in Europe, Russia, Brazil, and the United States. Jim was very active in sports in high school in Columbia S.C. He was two times Columbia All-City and Captain of the All-State Team in basketball in 1958, and played 4 years of baseball at Eau Claire High School. At the University of South Carolina he played basketball from 1958-1960 and golf from 1958-1962. He was a member of Woodside Plantation Country Club, the Southern Cross Sertoma Club, volunteered as a youth golf instructor for the Aiken Hook-A-Kid on golf, and attended St. John’s United Methodist Church. Surviving are his wonderful wife Libby of 33 years; son, James P. Howell, Jr. (Alyssa) of Orlando, Florida; daughter, Kristin Howell, of Tampa, Florida; son H. Allen Pearce (Heather) Of Columbia S.C.; and son Marc F. Pearce (Shawna) of Winston-Salem, N.C. Jim was the beloved “Papa” to eight grandchildren. He had four grandsons, Alexios J. Yannakopoulos of Tampa, Florida, Landin A. Pearce and Ethan C. Pearce of Columbia, S.C. and Max Y. Pearce of Winston-Salem, N.C. He also had four granddaughters, Anna E. Yannakopoulos, Eleni Yannakopoulos of Tampa, Florida, Grace E. Howell and Emily R. Howell of Orlando, Florida. Jim is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Evan S. Howell, Jr., John H. Howell and sister, Elinor H. Howell and his parents. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Aiken Hook-A-Kid on golf, Aiken Junior Sports Association 203 Club Villa Dr., W., Aiken, SC 29803. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC 29801 Jim’s online guest registry may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James P. "Jim" Howell, please visit our flower store.