Philip T. Howerton

Dr. Philip T. Howerton, 78, died Sunday, April 1, 2012 at Grace Hospital. He was born in Mecklenburg County on May 15, 1933 son of the late Robert Dunn Howerton and Mildred Melgreen Howerton. Dr. Howerton graduated high school from Phillips Academy Andover in 1951, received his undergraduate degree from Davidson College in 1954 and M.D. from Duke University School of Medicine in 1958. He was a captain in the U. S. Air Force, Medical Corps from 1956 until 1963 where he served his internship at Brooke Army Hospital. He completed his residency at Duke University in 1963.He became certified with the American Board of Radiology in 1964 and moved to Morganton in 1966 to join the staff of Grace Hospital. He was past Radiological Director, past President of the Medical Staff, and member of the Board of Trustees at Grace Hospital. He was honored to be named to the Fellowship of the American College of Radiology in 1986. Dr. Howerton was one of the founders of Blue Ridge Radiology Associates. He remained at Blue Ridge Radiology until his retirement in 2003. He fully enjoyed retirement through his many hobbies: traveling to Italy, studying Italian, gardening, reading and stamp collecting.Dr. Howerton was involved in many aspects of his community and served on many boards and organizations, including Burke County School Board, Chamber of Commerce, Burke County Red Cross, Morganton Rotary Club as a Paul Harris Fellow, and Boy Scouts of America. As a member of First Presbyterian Church, Dr. Howerton served as a Deacon, treasurer, and Sunday school teacher.He was devoted to his family and is survived by his wife, Hilda Wells Howerton; son, Philip T. Howerton, Jr. of Morganton; daughters, Virginia Howerton Grant and husband, Ken, of Mocksville and Mary Todd Howerton Peters and husband, Mark, granddaughters, Kayley, Rachel, and Melissa Peters of Chapel Hill; brother, Robert Howerton of Decatur, GA; step-son, Scott Chapman and wife, Sheena, and step-grandson, Robert Chapman, III of Lewisville; step-daughter, Beverly Crawford and husband, Tony, of Hickory.In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Janet R. Howerton, and by his sister, Frances H. Lucas.A memorial service will be held at 3pm Saturday, April 7, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Michael Bailey officiating. Inurnment will be in the church columbarium. The family will receive friends 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. Friday, April 6, 2012 at Sossoman Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to American Red Cross, Burke County Chapter, 305-A W. Union St., Morganton, NC 28655, First Presbyterian Church, 100 Silver Creek Rd., Morganton, NC 28655, or to BSA, Piedmont Council, 1222 E. Franklin St., Gastonia, NC 28053.