From Jeanie Shultz on behalf of the printer's union on 4/10/20 :  "John was an important part of my working life in the 70's & 80's and a good friend in retirement.  He will be missed.  my sincerest condolences and many thanks for keeping him active and involved in the Union."

John is in my forever memory as one who was always up for any adventure, up for lending a helping hand, up for a toast and a cheer.  He always greeted me with a smile, a warm and welcoming heart.  Cheers to you, Don John!

I am so grateful to have known John for over 30 years. His warm, friendly smile always greeted me at the door, and I never got tired of his stories. Seeing him with Sherry was always like coming home! Morning coffee and political conversations were always lively! I admired so much his intelligence, his humor, and his loving heart. I will miss him so much! Love you, John!

John's smile was contagious. He could laugh at himself which is especially charming in such a smart man! His love for Sherry was palpable and they will always be a wonderful couple in our hearts! You are missed John!

From the first time we met up to the very last you always had a warm welcoming smile, a taste for a cold beer and a story or two to tell. I will miss the presence of you but the memories will live forever. Safe travels my friend on your new journey.

John's sense of humor and storytelling skills were off the charts! I'll always remember him as a worldly, knowledgeable, hilarious, warm, and loving figure. A lover of good beer, dogs, the art of conversation, and traversing the globe; John was a person who lived a life less ordinary. I will always remember his grin, the twinkle in his eye, and our family trip to Costa Rica ("Don Jon!").

Don John bought me my first legal beer on the road to Paradise some time before acquiring the Don moniker in his beloved town of Nosara. It was both cool and refreshing....
We love and miss you Don John!

I’m so sorry to hear of Johnny’s passing. I got to know him through the Crowley reunions over the years. He was always so kind and funny and had such wonderful stories to tell. My thoughts and prayers for all his family.

John's warmth and sparkling smile greeted me each time I went to visit Sherry.  I felt welcomed and
encircled by his being.  That extended to our time shared at major family events and of course, the
Feast of Lanterns.  I feel honored to have known him.  Watching Sherry and John, I learned the
depth and beauty of a deep, loving marriage.  

John loved being with family and friends. It was a joy to share so many happy days together with the Pastor/Howells clan.  My deepest condolences for your loss.  RIP John.

I remember Johnny more when I was younger, cuz then moved to Argentina but he was a Great Human Being. I loved him very much as a lot of people, people loved him as soon as they met him. He will be very much missed.
You will always be in my heart, I love you tío Johnny! ????

You gotta love a guy who would ford a shallow Costa Rican river in a Volkswagen, with 3 other adults and a 5-year old crammed inside, and then casually mention that he thought we might be starting to float downstream…The five-year-old (now 30) still remembers the excitement!

I wish to convey my deepest Sympathies to family and friends of Johnny. Got to work with John at the San Jose Mercury News mostly on the night side between 1988-1999. Just remember being very disappointed any shift I had to work when John was not present. He attended my wedding to Concepcion in 1993 in San Jose, California but it wasn’t his fault when we divorced.

I own three books about the Tramp Printers written by both Marian Deerman and John M. Howells. The story I submitted is entitled “Journey Through The Alphabet” by Norman A. Sinowitz. I also submitted a photo of my last hot metal telephone directory shop showing some of the crew at Florida Printers in November of 1983, a few days before the shop closed up forever.