John Doak Howerton, 82, of Chilhowee, died April 4, 2009 at the family home in northern Henry County, where he lived his entire life. Born October 30, 1926 to Ivan Mason and Blanche Doak Howerton, John was the fifth generation to operate the family farm.

John attended grade school at Agricola and graduated high school from Norris R-4. Following his graduation, John left for the Army where he served until May of 1946. Shortly after returning home, his father Ivan was tragically killed in a farming accident and John took over the duties of running the family farm at age 19. He went on to expand his farming operation to include the sixth generation in a partnership with his sons known as "J.D. Howerton and Sons" which now has been joined by the seventh generation.

John married Margaret Lou Albin, of Chilhowee, on August 28, 1948. From this union was born two sons, John Philip Howerton and James Mason Howerton.

During his many years of farming John received numerous awards and recognitions for his outstanding work and dedication to agriculture from The American Horse & Mule Association, Balanced Farming, University of Missouri Extension, Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, The American Royal, and Henry County Soil and Water Conservation. In 1971 he placed second in the nation in the Dekalb Sorghum Growers Competition. He was a real estate broker and owner of Dream Home Real Estate for a number of years. John was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed traveling with Margaret in their RV.

John was a member of Corinth Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and Sunday School Director of 50 years. He was a past member of the Norris School Board and a serving member of the board for HCRWD#4 (rural water district), the Carrsville Cemetery Board, and treasurer of the Big Creek Township Road Board.

John was preceded in death by a sister Katheryn Belle, his father Ivan, and his mother Blanche. he is survived by his wife, Margaret, his son Phil and wife, Jan, his son Jim and his wife, Debbie, all of Chilhowee, and a sister, Marie Dunning, of Clinton. John also leaves behind seven grandchildren and three great-grandhcildren, Nick Howerton of Chilhowee, Paul and Emily Howerton and son Gavin of Clinton, Chris and Jill Wood and children, Ty and Madelyn of Holt's Summit, Missouri, Aaron and Jennifer Morris of Lacey, Washington, Michael Howerton of Miami, Florida, Jonathan and Stacey Howerton of Clinton, and Andrew Howerton of Point Lookout, Missouri. They will miss their grandfather dearly and loved him and learned from him because of his devotion to his family, his faith, and his farm.

John was know for his quick wit and warm smile, but most of all for his love of God, his wife Margaret and his family. The family will receive friends at Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Thursday, April 9, 2009 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and services will be held at Corinth Baptist Church in rural Chilhowee, Friday, April 10, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. followed by burial in Carrsville Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to Carrsville Cemetery Association, Corinth Baptist Church or Truman Lakes Hospice. Condolences may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.