James A. Howard, age 88, passed away on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at Meriter Hospital in Madison. James Arlin Howard was born to Joseph and Kathleen O'Farrell Howard on a farm near Alvin, Illinois, May 17, 1924. After graduating from Alvin High School, he and a friend purchased the Alvin Grain Elevator and he began expanding his real-life education in the field of agriculture. After working for Indiana Farm Bureau several years, Jim accepted a job with McKesson Robbins selling feed chemicals to feed dealers in several states – one of them Wisconsin. This led to his being hired as the first manager of IDO (Independent Dealers Organization). Jim eventually left IDO to establish his own company, Professional Products and Services, Inc., where he formulated his own line of animal feed products, selling to farmers in southern Wisconsin and also hiring sales people in several surrounding states. This brought Jim and his family to the Sauk-Prairie area, where he and his wife Ruth built the business over the next 30 years. During that time Jim was recognized multiple times for his contributions to agriculture in Wisconsin, with several awards from the Wisconsin Pork Producers and a special award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin. Jim had many interests. He built several boats and loved to build and refinish furniture. He enjoyed fishing and golf, and previously lived across the street from Lake Wisconsin Country Club, where he drove his golf cart across the street to play golf. Jim and Ruth were the Grand Marshalls at the State Cow Chip Throw parade one year. They traveled widely throughout the U.S. and internationally. Jim volunteered for many organizations including Sauk County Commission on Aging, Sauk Prairie Hospital, Life-Line, Home Health United Hospice, and International Crane Foundation. He also served for several years on the Bank of Prairie du Sac Board of Directors. Jim lived his life fully and happily, always challenging himself to learn and be involved in the world. Ruth and Jim shared their values and interests, including their belief in social justice, with their children, giving them the foundation for living an ethical and enjoyable life. Jim married Ruth Williams on June 27, 1947, and they had 65 wonderful years together. They had three children: Judith Howard (Amy Scarr), Madison; Janet Johnson (Daniel), Madison; Joe (Teri Reams), Sauk City, and grandchildren Katia Salyards (fiancé Tracy Brown), Milwaukee; Mathew Howard (Rene Weigel), Madison; and Jennifer Lynch (Christopher), Columbus. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers Robert and David.



A Celebration of Life will be held at the VFW Club, 700 VFW Drive, Prairie du Sac, Thursday, September 13th, 2012, 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, program at 6:00. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim's name to the International Crane Foundation, E11376 Shady Lane Rd, Baraboo, WI, 53913, or to Home Health United Hospice, 4639 Hammersley Rd., Madison, WI, 53711, which will support hospice services in Sauk County. The family thanks the City of Madison Fire and Police First Responders, and the Meriter Hospital ICU Staff for their competent and supportive care of Jim and our family.