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John was born on September 1, 1947 in Honolulu, Hawaii to Robert and Mildred Howey. After graduation from Radford High School in 1965, John attended Linfield College in McMinville, Ore., earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1969 in Physical Education as well as a Master’s degree in Physical Education in 1970.
He began a teaching career at South Wasco County Union High School in Maupin, Ore., in 1970 and remained there until his retirement in 2003. John taught PE and health but his primary focus was as the coach for the “Mighty Redsides”. Over the years John coached boy’s football, boys’ basketball, girls’ volleyball, as well as girls’ and boys’ track and cross country. In 2002 John was awarded the Oregon Coach of the Year for all Class 1A schools. John contributed to the South Wasco County Union High School’s athletic program not only as a valuable coach but as a mentor and friend to the many students he taught during his tenure. He led by example in demonstrating integrity, honesty and truthfulness both as a coach to his students and as a valued citizen in the Maupin community.
John loved the Central Oregon climate. He spent many pleasant days on the banks of the Deschutes River fishing for salmon or trout and hunting in the hills around Maupin in the fall for deer and elk. John shared the meat and fish from his fishing and hunting trips with many of the elderly citizens living in Maupin. But his greatest outdoor passion was golf. John belonged to the Pine Meadows Golf Club in Wamic, Ore., as well as the Kah-nee-ta Resort Golf Club where he golfed on a regular basis, winning tournaments over the years, and enjoying the camaraderie and competition of the game with his golfing buddies.
On August 3, 1979, John married Gwen Snodgrass of Maupin, Ore. The couple settled in Maupin where they have remained for the past 36 years.
John is survived by his wife Gwen, mother Mildred, brother Mark and sister in law Mary, 5 nieces and nephews: Matthew Howey, Jeffrey Manuel (and wife Rhonda), Jana Downs, Mischa Hurst (and husband Troy) and Nathan Grafe (and wife Joyce); 2 sisters-in-law: Peggy Grafe and Sylvia DeSordi; 2 brothers-in-law: Jerry Manuel and Gary Grafe; and 8 grand nieces and nephews.
John influenced and shaped many lives in the Maupin community, he will always be remembered and appreciated for his efforts and profoundly missed by all who knew him.
Contributions in John’s name can be made to the Maupin Ambulance Fund and the South Wasco County Union High School Athletic Fund.
A Celebration of Life honoring John Howey is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, 2015, at the Maupin High School Gymnasium.
To plant a tree in memory of John Howey as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store.
