Robert "Bob" Charles Howington was born on September 29, 1933, in Fort Worth, Texas. He grew up in Fort Worth and attended Arlington Heights High School, where he served as captain of the football team and graduated in 1952. He later earned a bachelor's degree from Midwestern University and a master's degree from the North Texas State University.

Bob's first coaching job was at Iowa Park High School. He loved working with students and athletes, and, from the beginning of his career, he saw coaching as more than a profession. To Bob, coaching was an opportunity to be involved in the lives of kids, to encourage them, to guide them, and to make a lasting difference in their lives.

On January 31, 1964, Bob married the love of his life, Gayle. Together, they built a life centered on faith, family, service, and love.

After his time in Iowa Park, Bob coached at Vernon High School in Vernon, Texas. He later moved to Amarillo, where he coached at Amarillo Tascosa High School, and then went on to coach at Brazosport High School in Freeport, Texas. His career eventually brought him to Arlington High School, where he served as a coach and later became Vice Principal.

Following his role as Vice Principal, Bob continued serving students and families as an Administrator of Student Services for the Arlington Independent School District. He later worked for Tarrant County as a probation officer, where he continued to use his steady presence, patience, wisdom, and compassion to impact lives. Bob retired in 2003.

Throughout every season of his life, Bob's faith was his foundation. He loved reading his Bible and Christian books, and he enjoyed Christian music. Church and family meant everything to him. He was gracious, kind, quiet-spoken, patient, and a good listener. He loved his wife, his children, and his grandchildren deeply.

Bob began each morning in prayer. One of the prayers he often prayed was, "Lord, if I can't help them, please don't let me hurt them," referring to the students, players, and people he encountered each day. That prayer reflected the heart of who Bob was. He wanted his influence to be used for good, and it was.

Bob truly cared about people. He spent time with them, encouraged them, prayed with them, and treated them with respect, no matter what mistakes they had made. His impact on students and athletes was deep and lasting. He shared his faith, pointed others toward the Lord, stood his ground, and stood for what was right.

Bob's legacy is one of faithfulness, humility, integrity, and quiet strength. He lived a life of service, not for recognition, but because he genuinely cared. More than any of these qualities, he is best described as having unconditional love. His influence will continue through his family, the many students and athletes he encouraged, and all those who were blessed by his steady guidance, prayers, and example.

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his family, friends, former students, athletes, colleagues, and all who had the privilege to know him.

Bob is preceded in death by his mother and father Robert and Arlene Howington, his brother Joe Howington, his brother Jerry Howington and his sister Irma Adams. He is survived his wife of 62 years Gayle Howington, his son Dan Howington and wife Kathy Howington; and his daughter Laura Howington, his grandchildren, Garrett Howington, Kasey Howington, and Blake Howington, sister-in-law Kathy Comer, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Fielder Church, 2011 S. Fielder Road Arlington, TX 76013, on July 3, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 a.m.