Gary Lee Howlett, age 83, passed away on Thursday, February 3, 2022. Gary was born on November 5, 1938, the fourth son of Harold and Phyllis Howlett. He grew up in the rural farming community of Draper, UT, where the brothers four spent their tight-knit childhood gathering eggs, roaming the foothills, and learning to fish. As a young man, he served as a missionary in southern Africa, where he created friendships that lasted the rest of his life. He served in the Army National Guard and graduated from the University of Utah, and then always cheered for the Cougars.
He married Shirley Jeanne Stevens in 1962 in the Logan, UT temple. They moved to Las Vegas with their family in 1984 and grew to love the history, geography, and people of southern Nevada. Together, they raised their family, served in their church (including missions in China, Serbia, and the USA), and traveled all over the world (including many trips to the African savanna he so loved to visit and share with others). Gary and Shirley were rarely apart.
Gary was a home builder, elementary school teacher, and bishop, but his life’s work was his family. Whether weeding the backyard or boating at Lake Powell, he laughed and told stories while supporting and loving his children; he was an exemplary dad. He was a loving and involved grandfather, frequently driving up and down I-15 to be at every volleyball game, violin recital, and breakfast with Santa. In recent years, he has become known to a select few as “grandpa great,” and Gary enjoyed having a new generation with whom to share the wonders of the world.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Keith and Dale. He is survived by his wife Shirley and his five children: Elise (LaMar) Noorda, Angela (Roger) Reed, Douglas (Stacie) Howlett, Laura (Travis) Brady, and Andrew (Jennifer) Howlett. He is also survived by his brother Duane Howlett, seventeen grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and dear friends around the world.
A visitation for Gary will be held Friday, February 18, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Ridges Ward LDS Building, 9580 Peace Way, Las Vegas, NV 89147. A funeral service will occur Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Ridges Ward LDS Building.
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