James Allen Howe, June 19, 1950 — June 16, 2018

Obituary for James Allen Howe James Allen Howe “Jim” of Central City passed away peacefully at Mercy Living Center West on June 16, 2018, following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 67 years old. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Central City.

A patron of the arts and the written word, Jim began his career in the printing trades as a type-setter for the Cedar Rapids Gazette, eventually moving on to supervise a printing plant in Bloomfield, IA. Notably, he also led the restoration of the Linn Newsletter building following a fire in 1984. While Jim loved the printing business and was a skilled craftsman, music was his true passion.

He spent decades traveling the Midwest entertaining fans as the bass guitarist for the Wapsi River Band, which he co-founded in 1968. His bandmates recall how his unwavering good nature was as essential to keeping their band on track as his steady bass playing was. He truly had the soul of an artist and shared his talents freely with those who knew him.

Jim will be remembered as a wonderful conversationalist, avid fisherman, and dedicated friend who never turned down a game of pool or golf and was always up for a good talk over a beer or two. Later in life, Jim’s company was enjoyed by his four young grandsons, who loved lunchtime and playground visits with Grandpa. Jim is survived by his mother Virginia Howe (nee Knapp) of Marion, son Shane (Katie) Howe of Plainfield, Illinois, cherished sister Barbara (George Lord) Howe Bryan of Cedar Rapids, brother David (Carlene) Howe of Central City, special cousin Marita Steward of Marion, grandsons Samuel, Jackson, Lucas, and Crosby Howe, also of Plainfield, several cousins, nieces and nephews, and many lifelong friends.

Jim was predeceased by his father, Roberly Donard (RD) Howe. Per Jim’s wishes, a celebration of life, love, and rock and roll will be held at a later date. Heartfelt thanks to his nurse Chris Sargent and the staff at The Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, and to Mercy Living Center West, for providing exceptional care and support to Jim and his family.

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