May 8, 2025 – A Final Flight Home

Last Thursday, May 8th, Charles Reece Howell III stepped out of time and into eternity. His “earth suit” was worn out, and he was ready to take the final flight—home to be with Jesus and our family who went before him.

To me and my siblings, he was simply Dad. To countless others in aviation, he was Mr. MU-2, Big Daddy Reece, or Daddy-0.

1. A Life in Aviation

Over a 65-year career in aviation, Reece accumulated more than 40,000 flight hours, with over half in the Mitsubishi MU-2, the aircraft that became his signature. He personally trained over 3,000 MU-2 pilots and conducted thousands of flight tests as a DPE—for Private, Commercial, Instrument, Multi-Engine, CFI, and ATP ratings.

More than a pilot, he was a mentor and instructor at heart, giving over 20,000 hours of dual instruction. His love for aviation was rooted not in the thrill of flight alone, but in helping others take flight themselves.

Watch him tell his story:

2. A Life of Impact

Beyond logbooks and airframes, Reece Howell’s true legacy lies in the people he touched:
– A loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather
– A father figure to the fatherless
– A mentor and friend to all who crossed his path
He loved the Howell Hill Church of Christ and the people who attend there. It was the church he grew up in and came back to in his final years.

He treated everyone with dignity and kindness—regardless of gender, skin color, background, or wealth. He loved his neighbor in the most practical ways.
At Howell Enterprises, it was common to find him sitting with someone, sharing a coffee and an oatmeal cream pie—teaching, examining, or just talking aviation. His check rides became legendary: thorough, kind, firm, and unforgettable. He made sure you met the standard—but would also pause to teach something beyond the book.

3. Flying with Purpose

Reece lived a dream few attain. A small-town country boy who ended up:
– Traveling the world
– Meeting extraordinary people
– Flying missions with Franklin Graham for Samaritan’s Purse, including a special MU-2 delivery to Kenya
That connection with Franklin was one of mentorship, trust, and shared purpose—one of many such bonds he formed throughout his life.

4. A Life Well-Lived

Some lessons Dad passed down:
– “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”
– Be generous—buy the meal, check on others, give what you have.
– Live your purpose, and live it fully.

5. Honors and Recognition

– Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame Inductee – 2008
– Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
– Flight Instructor of the Year

He never missed a Hall of Fame Gala afterward—proud of the recognition, but always humble in receiving it.

6. A Celebration of Life

This week, we gather in Fayetteville, TN, where he was born and lived most of his life. It will be a reunion of the Reece Howell tribe—blood family, adopted family, and aviation family. There will be stories, laughter, and yes, a few tears. All in celebration of a remarkable life.

7. Ways to Honor Reece Howell

If you feel moved to honor Reece’s legacy, please consider a gift to one of the organizations he deeply cherished:

– Samaritan’s Purse – Memorial Page: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/memorial-page/charles-reece-howell-iii-fayetteville-tn/

– Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame
P.O. Box 183, Gallatin, TN 37066
Website: https://www.tnaviationhof.org

Thank you, Dad (Reece), for a life of flying, teaching, loving, and leading.

We’ll see you again.