Howell Holmes Gwin, Jr., 78, of Beaumont, died Thursday, September 3, 2015, in Austin. He was born on July 10, 1937, in New York, New York, to Elizabeth Smith Gwin and Howell Holmes Gwin, Sr.

After his early education in New York, Macon, Georgia and Columbus, Mississippi, the family moved to Starkville, Mississippi, in 1951. He was graduated from Starkville High School, Class of 1955.  He earned his BA in English and his MA and PhD in History. Dr. Gwin came to Beaumont in 1962 to teach in the History Department of Lamar University, where he taught for fifty-three years, including several years as Professor Emeritus. He served as the Director of Graduate Studies for a ten-year period.

Dr. Gwin enjoyed building model airplanes and model trains and could repair anything. He was an active member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church for forty-one years, serving as a lay Eucharistic minister, lay reader, and vestry member.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-one years, Elizabeth Logan Gwin; daughter, Anne Elizabeth Gwin; son, Howell Holmes Gwin III; grandsons, Howell Holmes Gwin IV and Logan Emory Gwin; and sister, May Gwin Waggoner.

Dr. Gwin’s memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 11, 2015, with a reception to follow in The Cloister Room, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77701.