James Douglas Howse, 77 (or 19¼ years as a leap-year baby), of Oscoda and Riverview, Florida passed away on Feb. 16, 2014. Jim was born on Feb. 29, 1936 in Bay City to the late James L and Edna (nee Douglas) Howse. Jim is survived by his wife, Nancy (nee Grnya) Howse, with whom he shared seven years of marriage. Jim was a 1954 graduate of Bay City Central High School, Bay City Junior College and Central Michigan University. During high school and college, Jim played football and American Legion baseball. After graduating college, Jim taught at the Clio School District in Clio for one year, then went on to the Oscoda Area Schools District to be a teacher and guidance counselor for 35 years. He was also a coach, yearbook advisor and senior class advisor. Jim was also a counselor at Alpena Community College. He was an original member of the Oscoda Jaycees; the treasurer for the Michigan Association of School Counselors; a licensed professional counselor in Michigan; held a Master's Degree in Social Work; was a member of the Oscoda United Methodist Church; served four years on the Rice Creek Adult RV Park Association Board in Riverview, Fla.; and served as a member of the Supervisory Committee of the Iosco School Employees Credit Union. Jim built his family home in Oscoda from scratch. In his spare time he loved traveling, fishing, hunting and photography. He and his family also loved family vacations to Bozeman, Mt. Along with his wife, Jim is survived by son Douglas James (Kimberly) Howse of Tampa, Fla.; daughter Shelly Sue Howse of Alpena; granddaughters Bethany (Matthew) Adams of Tampa, Fla. and Kristen (Jason) Wolfe of San Antonio, Texas; two great-grandchildren, Braedon James Wolfe and Arbor Janette Adams; cousins, Dr. Douglas Devens of Elkhart, Ind., Jeanne Kuehn and family of Berkley and Julie Rhoden and family of Albuquerque, N.M.; along with legions of friends, colleagues and former students living all across the country. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and wife Janette Joice Howse. A celebration of Jim's life will take place at a later date in Oscoda.Arrangements by Serenity Meadows Memorial Park, Funeral Home & Crematory, 6919 Providence Rd., Riverview, Fla. 33578.