Stanley Dagit Howell, age 90, formerly of Langhorne Manor, Pa. and currently of Tryon Estates in Columbus, N.C., died on Sunday, September 4, 2016.

Howell was the son of Helen Dagit Howell and Stanley Cole Howell. He was born on March 22, 1926 in Philadelphia. He was raised in Swarthmore and Philadelphia. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree as a graduate of the 181st class of Central High School. During those years, he was a member of the Germantown Youth Orchestra and the All-Philadelphia Band.

In 1944, he joined the US Army and became an anti-tank gunner in the 66th Infantry of the 71st Division which fought their way through the European Theatre of WW II.  After the war ended, Howell sang with the Danube Symphollies to entertain remaining troops.

In 1946, Howell returned to Temple University and majored in economics and social studies.  He was a member of the orchestra, band, and the a capella choir where he met his wife, Jean Magin.  He was a graduate of Temple in 1949 and would later get his master’s and his doctorate there as well.

After receiving his Bachelor of Arts, Howell was hired as a teacher in the Neshaminy School District (Langhorne, Pa.) as a social studies teacher. With his musical background, he founded the first high school band in the school district and led them for seven years. In later years, he became a vice principal and served the district until his retirement in 1987.

In 1950, Stanley married Jean, a marriage that lasted until her death in 2015. He is survived by three sons, Mark (Judy), Grant (Julee), and Blair (Joanna). He is also survived by nine grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Howell was a long time member of the Langhorne United Methodist Church. Since Jean was the choir director for many years, Stanley was a choir member, a trombonist, and was the founder of the annual Christmas band. He was involved on many committees and was a Sunday School teacher.

In his retirement in Langhorne, Howell was active in the Rotary Club, Tri-County Band, Old Comrades Retirement Band, the Naples, Fla. Concert Band, and Windjammers Unlimited. He held leadership positions in most of these organizations. He was also a docent at nearby Pennsbury Manor, the home of William Penn, founder of the colony of Pennsylvania. Stan and Jean traveled to all the presidential birth places, homes, and burial sites. They created a slide show/presentation about all the presidents and titled it the Presidential Heritage Program. In their retirement, they gave over 700 presentations to schools and community groups.

In 1997, Howell and his wife moved to Columbus, N.C. He was a member of Tryon Presbyterian Church and served in the choir, the bell choir, and became a Stephen Minister. He was an active member of the Tryon Rotary Club. He played in the Hendersonville Community Band and the Hendersonville Swing Band. He sang in the Polk County Community Chorus and the Tryon Estates Christmas Chorus for many years. He organized and played in the Foothills Oompa Band at local events. In 1998, Howell founded and organized the Columbus Tuba Christmas, an opportunity for low brass players to play together on stage in the Christmas spirit. The event grew in numbers and has continued without him. Even in his last few years, Stanley Howell played his trombone for the Alzheimer’s unit at Tryon Estates.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Tryon Presbyterian Church. A reception will be held in the church fellowship hall following the service. Donations can be made to Tryon Presbyterian Church or the Laurel Lake Music Society at Tryon Estates, Columbus, N.C.

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel
Tryon, N.C.