James "Sonny" Gardiner Howard

The family of James “Sonny” Gardiner Howard is deeply saddened to announce his passing on January 23rd, 2026. Born November 4, 1933, in Washington, DC, he was the son of the late James Christopher Howard and Genevieve Loretta Howard. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Patricia Howard; his brother, Francis “Tiny” Howard; and his daughters, Catherine Lewis and Michelle Lomax.

Sonny is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marykaye Howard; his sister, Genevieve Wathen; his sons, Patrick (Sue) Viering and James “Jay” Howard; his grandchildren, Brittenny (Scott) Grieashamer, Donna Viering, Mark Cole, Karin Lomax, and Jennifer Bowling; and his great-grandchildren, Aubrey and KJ Grieashamer. Known affectionately as PopPop, Uncle Sonny, Sonny, and Reds, he was beloved by all who knew him.

A lifelong resident of Charles County, Sonny grew up in Waldorf and on the Gardiner family farm and attended Notre Dame of St. Mary’s Church Catholic School in Bryantown. A talented athlete, he especially loved baseball and played for the Waldorf travel baseball team. He lived a life filled with laughter, generosity, and a deep love of the outdoors—most notably his lifelong passion for horses and all things equestrian. He was a member of the American Legion Post 82 (La Plata), Waldorf Elks, White Plains Moose Lodge, Southern Maryland Trail Rider Association, and the Dr. Samuel Mudd House Historical Society.

Upon graduation from High school he went to work for Queen Jameson, owner of Jameson’s Radio & T.V. of Waldorf, as a repairman and T.V antenna installer. In 1954, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served with the 101st Airborne Division before deployment to the South Pacific. Following his honorable discharge, he worked for Southern Maryland Novelty Company and later served as Humane Officer for the Southern Maryland Humane Society. In 1967, he began his career as a United States Rural Letter Carrier, proudly serving his community until his retirement in 1994.

Sonny married his beloved Marykaye in 1967, and together they raised four children. In 1970 they moved to Port Tobacco where they spent the next 55 years raising their family. He delighted in teaching others to ride horses, fish, hunt, swim and enjoy the outdoors—a legacy he continued well into retirement.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at arehartechols.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James "Sonny" Gardiner Howard, please visit our floral store.