Richard Howes

Rick went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at the age of 83. His motto in his 40+ years on Pensacola Beach in the real estate business was ‘tell it like it is’ so here it is told by the silver-tongued devil himself.

“It all began in Illinois. But after six months I had seen enough of Illinois and came with the family to my hometown of Pensacola. I grew up on the west side and attended Hallmark, Blount, and was in the class of ’56 at Pensacola High School. I spent a year at PJC and finished up college at Florida State in 1960 where I met my first wife, Gennie. I was a Delta Tau Delta fraternity guy and have been a loyal FSU fan ever since. I was the son of Jack Howes. The two of us lived at Hopkins Boarding House for many years and consumed a lot of fried chicken. After college, the military called.  Training at Ft. Leonard Missouri and Ft. Riley, Kansas where daughter Diane was born who much later moved to England and produced two British Grandchildren.  After a few months, I had seen enough of Kansas and relocated to Lakeland, FL and spent 6 years in the Army Reserve. In Lakeland, I started what would be a whirlwind of jobs and dabbled in insurance but my love of cars found me at the local VW dealer and later to Pompano Beach to get acquainted with Porsche. After a few months, I had seen quite enough of Pompano Beach and South Florida and returned to Lakeland where my son Danny was born who later would marry his soulmate Patti and have my first grandchild Gabrielle.  Like my father, I worked in Lakeland in a fine men’s store which led me to Atlanta where I was lucky enough to work at Muse’s, ‘The style center of the south’ the finest in those days which was some of the best years of my working life.

Chapter two started in Atlanta in men’s clothing, then back to cars, then having an automobile detail shop way before its time. During this time, I, fortunately, met Jodie, my lifelong love, friend and partner. We were married and decided that we had seen enough of Atlanta and came home to Pensacola. This is about the time being a vagabond was the thing to do, so for the next 30+ years, we moved 19 times, mostly on the beach and Gulf Breeze. Back to Atlanta for a short time, then it was time to come home again and be closer to my awesome mother, Peg Carter. Ask anyone that knew Peg and they would have stories to tell. She was indeed something special. Real Estate was the next challenge starting with RMI, moving to JME, Coldwell Banker and finally Levin Rinke spending over 20 years at the Tristan Towers office.

My true love other than my wife Jodie  (Sugar Bear) was cars. Just to prove it I owned 51 cars since moving up from a Schwinn bicycle. I had my favorites with the top ten ranging from #1 a ’51 Chevy to a couple of Porsches. I had a t-shirt that said ‘still plays with cars’ which could have been my theme.

My sister Elaine had seen enough of Ohio and moved back home where we had time to spend time together especially over a bowl of crab stew.  Elaine had some really neat children but Shelley was a favorite.  I didn’t have a blood brother but Bubba Boy, Larry Pritchett in Atlanta was my lifelong friend.

I loved to sleep late in the morning and later became quite a reader. But most of all I loved music from the time I learned the ukulele and graduated to a guitar. From early Hank Williams to the Eagles to Beethoven I loved it all. I was often called “Dr DJ” as well as “Dr No” because I didn’t want to get involved in social gatherings.

I was raised a Baptist and was baptized in the water at Brownsville Baptist, was a Deacon in the Presbyterian Church and later became a Methodist (making sure I got my ticket punched)! I guess I’ve seen enough now. Jesus said His Father had a house with many mansions and He was going to prepare a place for me so I’m going to check it out.”

Celebration of Rick’s Life will be held April 9, 2022 at 2:00 pm at the Tristan Towers Clubhouse on Pensacola Beach. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Central Church Pensacola Beach or Pensacola Humane Society.