James Richard Duncan Howarth (13 Nov 1973 - 23 Apr 2024)

I had the privilege of being at Wells Cathedral school with Lofty. We did both geography and home economics together, he was always great fun to be in a class with and I look back on those years with fond memories. It was an honour to share his special evening when he became a fellow of WCS. Truely very well deserved. Rest in peace Lifrty, the world has been a better place because of your being in it xx

I was so blessed to have known James (Lofty) for many years since our time at Wells. I have so many fond memories, Home Economics classes with Mrs Fielding being one of them, where we often failed to take things seriously and had many a giggle. I haven't seen him a few years as I live so far away, but we kept in touch. As a teacher myself, I watched in admiration at his achievements and ability to help so many young people. His strength, determination, and courage over the last few years were beyond inspiring. My daughter wrote an assignment for a psychology class where she had to describe different types of heroes, and she wrote about James. When I told him about the assignment, he didn't agree with being called a hero, but he definitely fit the definition. My sincere condolences and sympathies to his beautiful family and all his friends. He will be greatly missed but leaves such a wonderful legacy and happy memories. Love Elspeth xx

Over the last few weeks i have tried and failed to put into words a tribute that seems fitting enough...
i met James 11 years ago when our sons started Mead Road. It wasnt long until friendships were formed with both our children and ourselves.
5 mums soon become firm friends and our families entwined.
In those 11 years i feel so grateful for being your lives, to be able to see a family who have such pure love for each other.
Both you, Anna, Jacob, Amelia, JackJack and your amazing family and friends have taught me so much and im so proud to be the friend of people who love beyond anything.
You put family above everything and a wonderful friend,, a gentle giant.
Your mite and determination with your journey as been nothing but inspiring.

You always wanted the best for everyone, your family, friends and students. Your love for teaching was obvious and seeing the tributes from your students shows that you were born to be a teacher, a supporter, an encourager....
I see that in all aspects of your life.
Such a geniune gentleman with a big warm smile and bigger heart

As a coach your voice a large as the man himself heard across the field.
You were the boys biggest support and Smith always was grateful for your pep talks (maybe one day he'll give rugby a try)

You always checked in on me in happy and sad times despite your own circumstances.

And one day in the midst of Covid i recieved a gift that really actually made my heart skip beat. After moaning on FB how id missed my Olly Murs calendar that year. Id recieved a calendar in the post a total supris3 from yourself made just for me with 12 months worth of Olly pictures to enjoy. Im sure it passed a few hours from your hospital bed but i cant imagine you enjoyed search Olly Murs images but for me its one of my most treasured gifts ever because the thought behind. You made me a happy lady that day.

To think of a future without you breaks my heart for you, for Anna your beautiful children and family and friends but to think of the life you had and the love you recieved and gave makes me smile. James you are truly a remarkable man who has left a mark on my heart.

You and Anna and your beautiful famil have and will also inspire me.

Thank you for the love and friendship. You have mine in return xx
Not all heroes wear capes xxx
With love and friendship Rayanne xxx

Matey, I’m broken……An absolute honour to have known you and work with you and those chats in sainsburys will stay with me forever….we talked for so long once all our frozen shopping melted so we had to sneak back to freezer and replace it only to get caught up talking again!! You will always continue to inspire, connect, support others and I am eternally grateful to you for your friendship, support and kindness. You shone when we talked about your beautiful family and the love you spoke about for Anna is a true love that was made only to last forever.
You inspired my Share Your Shine campaign and we will continue to inspire others in the only way we know how - James Stylee!! Love ya Matey

Angie x

I was one of the many lucky students who had James, and Anna, as a teacher. James was just born to teach, he connected with students on another level and believed in all of us like nothing else. We kept in touch once I left Eastlea, James remaining supportive and never losing his passion for teaching and helping kids from all walks of life achieve their full potential. The world is a darker place without him but I feel so completely privileged and honoured to have been taught by James. All my love and strength to Anna and the kids but I know you’ll be watching over them, and us all James. Sleep tight.
Chelsea xxx

I was fortunate enough to have James join me at Harris Peckham as my Vice Principal . A hard working and dedicated professional who was always full of innovative ideas. A large digital clock on the outside of the building improved our punctuality rates no end as the students raced up the road to beat the clock! He worked long hours to support both staff and students and often had to be reminded to go home.
His professional legacy will be the difference he made to the lives of so many children. His energy and enthusiasm for their success was infectious.
His bravery and optimism in the face of adversity was inspirational and something I will never forget.
Thank you James for your friendship and everything you gave to the world of education. You will never know how much you will be missed.

I worked with James as part of the Harris Federation.
His dedication and professionalism was exemplary and his passion to make a difference to the lives of student was always at the forefront of everything he did.
James was caring, dedicated and an asset to the educational world.

A loss too soon for so many.

My memories of countless sporting highlights (and the odd lowlight) from Wells are the centrepiece of my time there - and that includes plenty of occasions sharing rugby and cricket pitches with Lofty. He was a great guy to have on your team - you knew you would always get 100% effort and commitment, whoever the opposition. That, combined with his sheer physical presence, would often lift us when the chips were down - clearly the same impact he had on so many people after leaving Wells, and especially when fighting his ultimate fight. My sincere condolences to Anna and all of James' family.

We are so very proud of James, and having known him since birth his journey through life has been one of great achievements. And his legacy will live on through all those fortunate childen to whom he gave so much of himself.

I am so grateful to have known James. To be able to listen to him and to learn from him and share a stage speaking with him from time to time has been an absolute privilege. James was a king amongst men and Anna his queen. His impact across everyone he met was huge. There are no words to do his contribution justice. But for me, the way he talked about Anna and his children and love being what pulled him through everything in life inspired me to make sure I had that kind of love myself. I am forever grateful, impacted and inspired. A quote I wrote down from one of James’ talks was ‘not to confuse doing things with making progress’. He was brilliant and he was wise. From the words of Hamilton, a legacy is planting flowers in a garden you never get to see. The garden he created was far and it was wide. Good night James. & thank you.

I worked with James at Harris, he was incredibly passionate about education particularly, ensuring all students had equal access to learning. He was kind, caring and very ambitious. I knew he would do well as a leader. God bless his soul and may he be resting in perfect peace 🙏🏾

Jackie occasionally used to look after James, when he and our daughter were “toddlers”. He was a happy, cheerful, enthusiastic and good natured child, characteristics which later supported his very successful career, so cruelly cut short. Our thoughts and condolences to all the family.

I am shattered and broken down as I try to gather myself to write few words to honour and celebrate such an amazing, caring and kind young man. In an interview James said Martin I see in you a great teacher who needs to be given the opportunity. Since then James never turned his back on me. He appreciated every little Stride one makes.
James, my family and I owe you a lot. You have been a brother, a mentor, a companion and an inspiration to me. You never doubted my abilities and gave me the opportunity to work with you in two occasions.
You will always be remembered and I will always be grateful to you and your family. I know you fought a good fight. Your good deeds and positivity kept you on till this time. I know you defied all Medical consultants fears and lived on for 10 years. Your will remain forever in in my heart.
James Rest Well.

Always good to have one more guardian angel. He gave me a mighty red hand slap in the changing rooms once before a rugby match. Thought it was hilarious. I forgive him, now. God bless you all. Peter x

I was deeply saddened to hear James had died. James was a Giant amongst Men - Talented, Charismatic and a born Leader.
We were all privileged to have known him.

James was a colleague of mine at Harris Federation. He was kind, courageous,and committed to education. We in the HR team had immense respect and admiration for James, we kept in touch with him for many years. RIP James

Dear Anna, Jacob, Amelia & JackJack,
No words of mine can offer adequate condolence or consolation at this time. I will be there to celebrate James' wonderful life but just wanted to say that he left an indelible mark on my life, as he did for countless others. His friendship group is as widespread and diverse as the lives he touched and I know that you will have love and good wishes pouring in from all over the world. He was as lucky to have you as you were to have him and you couldn't wish for a better Guardian Angel.
All my love, Simon C