Category: Howe News Bulletin

NORMAN EDWARD DICKEY was born Jan 24, 1940 in Gunter, Texas in a small home on his grandfather Reed’s land. His parents were James E Dickey and Alla Jean Reed Dickey. He was raised in Gunter in a simple manner that instilled and incorporated his love of God, life, family, and sports. After working on the farm, milking the cow, hauling hay, and picking cotton, Norman chose to go to college to be able to always be near his love of sports by becoming a coach.


After a successful athletic career at GHS, he graduated in 1958 and went to Cisco Jr. College on a football scholarship. After playing college football for 2 years, he transferred to and worked his way through Austin College and played football and baseball on scholarship there for 2 more years. He graduated from Austin College in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. His first teaching and coaching job was in Mesquite High School, Mesquite, Texas. Howe ISD school board sought him out for head coach and athletic director in 1964 and so he started his 31-year stint at HHS. There he became the “winningest coach in HISD history” and was recently recognized at a community pep rally for that honor.



During his career at HISD he taught math, coached, and served as interim principal and superintendent, was Director of Special Services, and retired as Assistant Superintendent. The first Howe athletic field house was built during his tenure and he loved caring for and improving the Howe football field.



In 1965, Norman married Joanne Berglund Dickey whom he met at Austin College. They’ve been married nearly 55 years. Their children are son, Gary Don Dickey (Retired US Army Lt. Col.) and Lisa Joy Dickey Newton. He is survived by wife, Joanne of Howe, son Gary Don Dickey (Susie) of Killeen, Texas; daughter, Joy Dickey Newton (Mike) of Diana, Texas; Grandchildren: Michael Dickey of San Antonio, Texas, Kaydee Dickey of Killeen, Texas, Jess Newton, Joelle Newton, Jaymin Newton of Diana, Texas; sisters Ladonna Lue Dickey Sparks of Italy, Texas, Calla Dickey Robinson (Gary) of Denison, sister-in-law Libby Dickey of Gunter; Derenda Dickey, mother of Michael and Kaydee; sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Bill Worthley of Arkansas; many cousins and nieces and nephews and cherished friends. He was predeceased and joins in heaven his parents and beloved brother and fellow athlete Don Dickey, grandparents Lee and Laura Reed and James Epp and Lillie Dickey.



Norman’s simple pleasures in life included enjoying a good meal, watching sports both live as well as on tv, visiting with friends and family, playing dominoes, playing outlaw volleyball, church basketball, fast pitch softball, working outside, staying busy, and his favorite, being with or even just calling the 5 grandkids of whom he was so proud. That simplicity in life is to be admired as his life brought glory to God. Because he was a Christian, he often referred to “The Good Lord’s plan”. That faith and the resulting strength and peace will be missed.



Visitation will be Wednesday, April 10, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00. p.m. at Scoggins Funeral Home in Van Alstyne, Texas. Memorial service will be Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 2:00 at First Baptist Church. Burial will be at Gunter Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church Howe, PO Box 247, Howe, Texas 75459.

Funeral services are under the direction of Scoggins Funeral Home & Crematory, 637 W. Van Alstyne, Pkwy. Van Alstyne, TX; 75495. 903-482-5225. You may sign the online register book at www.scogginsfuneralhome.com.

It was confirmed today that Norman Dickey, former Howe Bulldogs football coach and athletic director has passed at approximately 4 pm Sunday afternoon, April 7, 2019.

Dickey was hired by Howe schools in 1964. He took a football program that was on the verge of collapsing due to the lack of willing participants and grew it to a district, bi-district and regional champion team just six years later. After 12 years as head coach of the Howe Bulldogs, he holds the most wins of any football coach in school history with 51.

After spending time as a coach, math teacher, counselor, interim principal, interim superintendent, and three-time interim athletic director, Dickey retired from the school district in 1996. In addition to his accomplishments, Dickey spent countless hours mowing Bulldog Stadium, working on the scoreboard, running the clock, officiating junior high games, keeping the stats and everything in between.

Dickey was raised in Gunter, Texas and graduated from Gunter High in 1958. After earning his first degree at Cisco Junior College, he transferred to Austin College where he played football.

The Howe Bulldogs were built by Dickey in the 1960s where he recruited 24 kids to play football his first year at Howe. Two years later, the Dogs kicked off a stretch of six seasons without a losing record including a regional championship in 1970 which was as far as a team could advance.

In 2016, Dickey was named to the Howe Hall of Honor. In August, he was recognized by former Howe Bulldogs Head Coaches at the Howe Community Pep Rally. The Norman Dickey Award was established many years ago to recognize the most outstanding female and male athlete of the year.

Obituary can be found here

The Howe Area Chamber of Commerce will host the 33rd Annual Founders Day Festival on Saturday, May 4 from 2 pm to 8 pm in the historic business district of Howe on Haning Street. But the event may be expanded to another street due to the number of vendors who have preregistered. With a little over a month to go, the chamber has announced that there are 62 retail spaces as well as five food and drink vendors. In comparison, last year’s vendor total was 53 retail vendor spaces and four food and drink vendors. The chamber is currently having discussions about expansion to another street in the downtown area if vendors continue to sign up.

Vendors can register here

There will be many things to do for the Founders Day patron as two other organizations are also having events in and near downtown. The nearly-completed Summit Gardens wedding and event venue will hold a silent auction in the EDC/Chamber office from 2 pm – 7:30 pm. They’ll host a BBQ dinner at FBC Howe’s Fellowship Hall starting at 5 pm and then a live auction at Summit Gardens at 7:30 pm.

The annual lawnmower race is hosted by Advanced Business Machines and it is scheduled for 5:20 pm for a location to be determined due to Haning Street being full of vendors.

MUSIC

Musical entertainment will be provided by Bent Creek from 2 pm – 4 pm. This is the third consecutive year that they’ll be performing on stage at the Howe Founders Day. At 5 pm, Montecito will begin their live performance which will conclude at 8 pm.

BASEBALL

The Howe Youth Baseball organization will host the First Annual Founders Day Ferguson Classic which will feature a Howe vs. Howe 6U baseball game at the newly remodeled Ferguson Field (within walking distance from downtown). A parade of Howe 6U players will stroll through downtown at 3 pm with pre-game festivities at 3:30 pm including a ribbon-cutting, a ceremonial first pitch by Howe Mayor Jeff Stanley, and special recognition of former Howe Youth Baseball Commissioner Ray Bledsoe. Game time is 4 pm. Tyson Foods has sponsored the event which will feature $2 burgers at Ferguson Field.

KIDS

For the kids, the chamber is seeking sponsors to provide the extremely popular Interurban Kid Train to return. It was first introduced in 2017 and has been one of biggest features of the festival. If sponsored, it would run from 3pm – 7pm pulling kids down the same trail the of the former 1930s passenger train. Also, the chamber is seeking sponsors for the main stage and 65′ inflatable obstacle course. JP&Associates REALTORS – Sandy Setliff has sponsored a bounce house for the kids.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The Howe Chamber has opportunities for business to be highly visible on the day of the festivities. The main stage has room for banners and the Kid Zone has multiple opportunities. If interested, you can contact the Howe Area Chamber of Commerce at info@howechamber.com or at 903-532-6080.

HOWE HALL OF HONOR

The Founders Day Festival actually kicks off the night prior at the EDC/Chamber office when four members will be inducted to the Howe Hall of Honor at 6:30 pm on May 3. Donna Jarma, Bobby Sollis, Marion Allison, and Lowell Thompson are this years inductees. The event will also reveal the Norma J. Citizen of the Year, the Business of the Year, and the Volunteer Organization of the Year.

The date has been set for the 7th Annual Bulldog Run & Health Fair. 

The date is set for May 18, 2019 from 8:30 am – 10:30 am at the Howe Middle/Elementary School Parking Lot

5K participants may register online through active.comhttps://www.active.com/howe-tx/running/distance-running-races/bulldog-run-2019

Monday, April 8^th  4-6:30 pm

Howe Elementary School will host registration for students entering kindergarten or Pre- To attend kindergarten, students must be five years of age or older on or before September 1, 2019. To attend Pre-K, students must be four years of age on or before September 1, 2019.

This early registration process gives parents information to ease the transition into kindergarten/Pre-K.  You will be able to meet teachers, receive school supply lists, school calendar, and volunteer forms.  Early registration assists in planning for enrollment growth and staffing needs. Please take advantage of this opportunity to register your child!

2019-20 Kindergarten Round-Up:

• Parents of students who live in Howe ISD and will be five years of age or older on or before September 1, 2019
• April 8^th 4-6:30 pm at Howe Elementary School 315 Roberts St.
• To participate in Kindergarten Round-Up, parents should bring: Birth Certificate, Social Security Card, Immunization Records, Proof of Residency (utility bill), ID Card (drivers license or passport)

2019-20 PRE-Kindergarten Round-Up:

• Parents of students who live in Howe ISD and will be four years of age or older on or before September 1, 2019
• April 8^th 4-6:30 pm at Howe Elementary School 315 Roberts St.
• To participate in PRE-Kindergarten Round-Up, parents should bring: Birth Certificate, Social Security Card, Immunization Records, Proof of Residency (utility bill), ID Card (drivers license or passport)
• Proof of Income- Parent must bring one of the following: pay stub, most recent tax return, a notarized letter from employer on company letterhead listing income, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility letter with EDG (Eligibility Determination Group) number listed.
• Unable to speak or comprehend the English language
• Be a member of an active military family or be a member of an active military family whose parent was injured or killed during active military service. (Documentation required).
• Has ever been in the foster care system in the state of Texas. (Form 2085E is required).
• Has a parent or guardian who received the Star of Texas Award as a peace officer, firefighter or emergency medical first responder (letter of recognition or award required).

Walt Schneider, a local legendary track coach, passed early this morning at Medical City Plano.

Schnieder was born Dec. 20, 1920, in New Mexico, He and his parents moved to Howe in 1935 and he graduated from Howe High School in 1938. After high school, he worked on a farm before joining the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Schneider joined the US Navy in May of 1942 during World War II. He worked on defense projects in Fort Huachuca where they built the first black military post for 6,000 recruits. While in the Navy, he spent 33 months overseas. Eight months were in American Samoa before being on the USS President Polk.

In 1950, he came to back Howe to help his dad put in a Grade A dairy. Schneider bought the family farm in the Bennett Road and Schneider Road area and later developed the land by building 13 homes. He moved four military barracks that were 2,500 square feet and bricked them and changed the entire structure and made homes from them. He helped out his family by making contractors out of six nephews that helped him construct homes.

Schneider’s hobby as a track coach began when his nine-year-old adopted daughter, Elaine, wanted to enter track meets. He entered her against boys since there was not a track team for girls in this area.

With Elaine’s success, Walt Schneider started to earn a reputation as someone who knew how to coach a girl in track. In 1965, he would have an opportunity that would change his life and a lot of young girls lives. 

It was an infectious love and passion that created the seven-year story of The Roadrunners. And he did it all for free. He paid for everything and did it all on his own. He was a complete volunteer from the true essence of the word. He did it all because he loved it all.

The official obituary with funeral arrangements will be updated shortly. Waldo Funeral Home will be handling services and burial will take place at Akers Cemetery.