John Howlett, Sr. was James Howlett's father, though possibly not biologically. Allegedly, Thomas Logan had an affair with John's wife, Elizabeth, and this is the reason that James looks like Thomas.^[3]

John was fairly distraught by being forced to murder his first son after he had developed monstrous powers. John was about to become executor of the Howlett Estate when he was murdered by a drunken Thomas. He had previously fired Thomas for his inability to control his son, "Dog" Logan, who had killed James' puppy and attempted to get physical with their live-in playmate, Rose O'Hara.^[4]