THOMAS D. HOWLETT
Gregory
Thomas D. Howlett, 99, of Gregory died Sept. 17, 2004, at Chelsea Community Hospital. He was born March 26, 1905, in Gregory, the son of Henry and Christine (Denton) Howlett.
Mr. Howlett graduated from Jackson High in 1923 and began teaching in a one-room country schoolhouse. He then enrolled at Kalamazoo College, earning a bachelor’s degree in English. He furthered his education at George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Howlett taught in Pinckney School District and was the football coach. After several years, he and his brother became partners in the hardware business.
In the 1940s, the brothers and Mr. Howlett’s brother-in-law, Donald Hackney, started Hackney Hardware in Dexter. Dan Howlett preceded his brother in death in August 2004.
Mr. Howlett was a lifelong member of the Gregory Community Church, a charter member of the Waterloo Farm Museum and historical society, a member of the Gregory school board, Unadilla Township Fire Department and a member of the Livingston County welfare board.
Mr. Howlett played third base and was a captain of a championship team, winning the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
On June 16, 1932, he married LeAnna Gang and she preceded him in death June 8, 1988.
Surviving are three children, Anne (C. Jack) Potts of Gregory, Christine "Tinnie" (Thomas) O’Haver of Dexter and Joseph Howlett of Lansing; two brothers, Clifford (Gertrude) Howlett of Gregory and Richard (Mayrene) Howlett of Stockbridge; one sister, Blance Allen of Marshall; eight grandchildren, Tim (Claire) O’Haver, Jennie (Mike) Black, Jack (Vicki) Potts, Dan (Abby) O’Haver, Nathan Potts, Andy (Michelle) O’Haver, Sam (Meg) Potts and Laura Potts; and four great-grandchildren, Katherine Black, Thomas Potts, Henry Black and Caroline Potts.
He was also preceded in death by one son, Henry Howlett, and two sisters, Daisy Dancer and Charlotte Knight.
The family received friends Sunday at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home.
A funeral was held Monday at the Gregory Community Church. The Rev. Heidi DeMott Shanes officiated. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery in Stockbridge.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gregory Community Church or United Cerebral Palsy of Lansing.