Howard Carroll Packett

Howard C. Packett, 93, died on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Mr. Packett was born on February 23, 1932, in Kilmarnock, Virginia, to the late Ella New Packett and Carroll E. Packett. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Jane Witt Hogan Packett; and brother, William Edward Packett. He is survived by two sons, John Packett of Baltimore, and Mark Packett of Salem: two grandchildren, Errin Lynn Packett of Salem, and Oliver Howard Packett of Baltimore. Also surviving is Brenda's children, Elizabeth and Evan Stillen of Salem; sister, Sue Ellen Avellar of Ellicott City; three nephews and four nieces.

He was a former mayor of Salem and served on the city council for twenty-four years. A graduate of Washington & Lee University, he was a U.S. Marine and served in the Korean War. He was a former reporter for The Roanoke Times and spent almost thirty years in the advertising agency business, retiring in 1988, as President of the Packett group, one of Virginia's largest advertising agencies at the time. Mr. Packett became a realtor and was active in that business for many years. He was very active in the community, serving on many boards and commissions throughout the Roanoke Valley. He was a former chairman and treasurer of the Roanoke Valley/Alleghany Regional Commission and the Metropolitan Planning Organization. He also served on the boards of the United Way, the Science Museum of Western Virginia, the Arts Council of the Blue Ridge, Salem Planning Commission, Salem/Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce, President of Roanoke Country Club, Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Council, Total Action Against Poverty, Children's Health Investment Partnership, Salem Historical Society, American Legion Post #3, Founder and President of the Salem Men's Garden Club, Blue Ridge Public Television, Virginia Museum of Transportation, and Western Virginia Land Trust. Mr. Packett was a recipient of the Sam Walton Business Leadership Award and the Paul Harris Fellow Award of Rotary International. He was awarded the Silver Medal from the Advertising Federation of Roanoke Valley and each year the Packett award is given the Best of Show at the organization's creative award show.

A private graveside service will be held at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to First United Methodist Church or Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.