Michael Dee Howard

Michael Dee Howard, 72, of Valdosta, died on February 7, 2021, at South Georgia Medical Center. Mike was born in Japan, on September 6, 1948, the son of the late John W. Howard, Sr., Lt Col. Ret., and Mary Emily Cooper Howard. A 1968 graduate of Lowndes High School, Mike was the first Lowndes Viking Mascot. He was a self-employed radio broadcaster who loved to entertain. He got his start in radio broadcasting at the age of 15. Known as “Mike Lane”, he was a DJ/Broadcaster for 96 Rock, WYZK, WJEM, WVLD and WJOV. He started his own radio station in 1985, “Z 97” which later became 96 Rock. Mike was passionate about classic cars and was a true Elvis Presley fan.
Survivors are his daughters, Michelle Howard of Valdosta, Christy Howard of Lake Park, a son Cory Howard of Jacksonville, Florida’ grandchildren, Jayden Greene and Alexis Howard both of Lake Park; sister and brother-in-law, Marlana and David McNutt of Valdosta; nephews, John W. Howard III of Macon, Jonathan Thurmond (Kelly) of Muncie, IN; nieces, Pamela Doupe (Cole) of Albuquerque, NM, Angela Gallop (Robert) of Colorado Springs, CO, Becky Maynard (Robert) of Valdosta, and numerous great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, John W. Howard, Jr. and a sister, Pamela Frances Howard.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 11, 2021, at Sunset Hill Cemetery. Father Brian LaBurt will officiate. Condolences may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home is serving the Howard family.