Dr. Joe Howell

Dr. Joe Al Howell of Franklin, Tenn., president emeritus of Central Methodist University, died Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009.

Dr. Howell is survived by his wife, Pansy Clippard; a daughter, Kim and husband Ron of Lake Forest, Ill., and their two sons, Zak and Joe; a son, Kurt and his wife Cindy of Franklin and their two children, Hayley and Hunter; a brother, Tim, and his wife Kathy of Winter Haven, Fla., and Tim's two children and two grandchildren.

Dr. Howell retired in 1995 and in 1998 went to the United Arab Emirates, where he was a part of the founding administration of Zayed University, a university for the UAE national women. He is the author of six books and numerous published articles, and was a state and national leader of several educational organizations and fraternities.

He was born, reared and educated in Cape Girardeau. He received a B.S. from Southeast Missouri State University, M.A. and Ed.D. from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University.

His professional career included teaching and coaching at Herculaneum, Mo., Auburndale, Fla., Aruba, N.A., dean of men at Frederick College in Portsmouth, Va., and Emory-Henry College in Emory, Va., vice president of student affairs at Southern Methodist College in Dallas and the University of South Florida in Tampa. He also served as vice president of development his last two years at USF. Dr. Howell was president of Central Methodist University 18 years.

A private service celebrating his life will be held by the family.

Memorials may be sent to Central Methodist University, 411 Central Methodist Square, Fayette, MO 65248, or go online at www.centralmethodist.edu/cmforms/alum/giving.html.