Boyd W. "Sandy" Howze Jr.

Boyd W. “Sandy” Howze, Jr., of Apalachicola, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, July 18, 2026, with his devoted wife Edna by his side.

He was born on June 19, 1941, in West Palm Beach, Florida, the son of the late Boyd Woodrow Howze, Sr. and May Brocato Howze. In 1952, his family moved back to Apalachicola, where Sandy would build the life he loved. An eighth-generation Apalachicolian, he carried deep Italian heritage and a strong sense of pride in his hometown and its history. Sandy graduated from Chapman High School in 1959. He was especially fond of his classmates and the wonderful memories they made growing up together in Apalachicola in the 1950’s.

Shortly after graduation, he proudly enlisted in the United States Navy on September 4, 1959. During his service, he was stationed at Naval Air Station Pensacola and served aboard the USS Saratoga in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1963, he made a Mediterranean cruise aboard the USS Saratoga before later being stationed at Naval Air Station Atlanta in Georgia. After being honorably discharged from the Navy in November 1966, Sandy continued his service to his country by joining the United States Air Force that same month. He was stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida, where he served as N.C.O.I.C. of the Jet Engine Test Cell. The following year, he received orders for Vietnam and was assigned to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing in Bien Hoa, Vietnam, where he was responsible for the unscheduled maintenance of F-100 aircraft.

Following his military service, Sandy began a career with Olympic Manufacturing Company in Atlanta, Georgia as a Field Engineer. Through dedication and hard work, he rose to the position of Regional Sales Manager before retiring in 1995. While working for Olympic, he also operated a nursery and several other small businesses in the Apalachicola area, having inherited his mother’s well-known green thumb.

His pride in his hometown and commitment to public service led him to serve as Mayor of the City of Apalachicola from 2003 to 2007, where he worked to support and strengthen the community he cherished.

Sandy was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Apalachicola and dearly loved the Lord, his family, his friends, and his country. He was deeply devoted to his wife, Edna, and took great joy in spending time with his family.

When not with family, you were sure to find Sandy with his Best Friend Wallace Hill checking on their shared business ventures, fishing, or just simply enjoying cups of coffee at The Grill or Deloreses Sweet Shoppe as they solved “The World’s Problems” with other gentleman in the community. Sandy also cherished his close friendships with his dear friends Jerry Paulk and Janelle Bush (whom he often referred to as his little sister). He thoroughly enjoyed their conversations reminiscing of their younger days.

Some of his happiest moments were spent on the water. He was around it all his life, and he found that the only thing that could make a view of the water better was adding his family to it. Sundays after church were often spent up the river tubing and water skiing with his wife and children, or out in the Gulf sharing with them his deep fishing experience and love of the sport. Although his work required him to travel extensively, he always made it a priority to be present for the important moments in his children’s lives. Sandy loved being a grandfather and was affectionately known as “Papa” by his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was truly proud of all his family.

Sandy was preceded in death by his parents, Boyd Woodrow Howze, Sr. and May Brocota Howze; his sister, Gail Howze; his brother, Gary Howze, and Gary’s wife, Nancy.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Edna Howze; his children, Mark Howze, Michael (Lisa) Howze, and Stephanie Howze; his grandchildren, Austin (Shelby) Howze, Zach (Adriana) Howze, Allison (Peter) House, and Haleigh (Bailey) Ming; and his beloved great-grandchildren, Baylor, Nolan, Carson, and Bant.

He was dearly loved by his family, and they take comfort in the promise that they will see him again in Heaven.

Services will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the First Baptist Church of Apalachicola with visitation beginning at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time and the funeral following at 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time. Mr. Howze will be laid to rest privately at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Villa Rica, Georgia.

Arrangements are entrusted to the caring staff of Comforter Funeral Home in Port St. Joe, Florida.