Category: Howe News Bulletin

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.

Johnny Price Orr, age 72, passed away on March 5th, 2019 in his home in Haltom City, Texas. John was born in Sherman, TX near his home town of Howe where he grew up helping to work the family farm. John was known as a lover of music, sports and was never one to turn down a chance to visit with friends and family.

He is preceded in death by his wife Patricia and daughter Virginia. Johnny is survived by his son Joshua and his wife Lochi, and granddaughters Ariel and Audrey of Mt. Airy, Maryland. He is also survived by his brother Rick and his wife Charlotte of Waxahachie, Texas.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 23 at 11:00 AM at the Immanuel Baptist Church Kyle Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart, Cancer, or Alzheimers charities of your choice.

Calley Vick and Joseph Brennan have been nominated for the 3A Texas Student-Athlete of the Year. This award receives a $1,000 Letterman to Leadership scholarship. Those interested can click HERE to vote for the local Bulldogs.

HOWE, Texas – A Howe patrol vehicle was damaged by a hit-and-run driver Sunday morning on northbound U.S. Highway 75 in Van Alstyne.

Howe Police Officer David Morris was assisting the Van Alstyne Police Department with a multi-vehicle accident south of Van Alstyne Parkway shortly after midnight when the driver of a white GMC pick-up struck Officer Morris’ marked patrol vehicle and continued north without stopping. Officer Morris’ patrol unit was blocking the left lane of the highway with all of its emergency overhead lights flashing. VAPD Officer Nathan Wilson was able to catch up with and stop the GMC.

The hit-and-run driver, 50-year-old James Wyrick of Burleson, Texas, failed a sobriety test and was arrested. Wyrick was booked into the Grayson County Jail for Driving While intoxicated with an open container, deadly conduct and fleeing the scene of an accident. Additional charges may be filed after further investigation.

No one was injured in the incident and the Department of Public Safety is investigating the crash involving the Howe PD vehicle which had to be towed from the scene. The Howe and Van Alstyne Police Departments are working together on the charges against Wyrick.

HOWE, Texas – The Howe Police Department is seeking the public’s help with information regarding a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred on southbound U.S. Highway 75 near Exit 52 (West Farmington Road) in Howe on Saturday, March 9.

Benny Watkins, 76, of Farmersville, was riding his black 2004 three-wheeled Harley Davidson motorcycle on U.S. Highway 75 at around 7:30 p.m. in southern Howe when he struck a mattress laying in the roadway. Watkins, a Vietnam veteran, was transported via helicopter to a Dallas area hospital with severe head trauma. He succumbed to his injuries on March 14.

According to witnesses, a mattress fell from the back of a pickup which continued south on the highway.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the pickup truck driver or who may have witnessed the crash is encouraged to contact Sergeant Keith Milks at 903-532-9971 or via email at kmilks@cityofhowe.org.