Gary Lee Howell

Gary Lee Howell was born on January 18th, 1950 in Fayetteville, AR, the son of Omer Lee and Virgie B. (Watson) Howell. He was raised in a home with six brothers and three sisters, Ronnie Dale, Jerry, Jimmy, Karen, Cynthia Diana, James, Kenneth, Donna Kay and Jeffrey Wade. He attended school and then decided he would like to work in the transportation industry as a truck driver. He met and married his best friend, Debra Kay Arnold on July 31st, 1981 in Miami, OK. Together they would raise five sons and two daughters, Tammy, Lorena Gary Jr., Chucky Dale, Orville Ray, Patrick Dean, Crystal Michelle, and Kendall Wayne. He worked hard to take care of his family, making sure they had enough. When he was home, he showed his wonderful sense of humor. He loved to laugh and make you laugh with him. He was a huge music fan, loved his country and gospel music, and you could always bet on him having some little ditty to sing. He liked to do a little fishing and hunting, especially deer. Then it would be time to share a cup of coffee and the tall tales that went with it! He was always teasing and joking, having fun and enjoying life. His family was his greatest sense of pride and joy, and he adored his numerous grand and newest great grandchildren. A Christian by faith, Gary was a Baptist. He passed from this life on January 23rd, 2022 at his home in Stilwell, OK. He was 72 years old and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, his dad, two brothers, Jerry and Jimmy Howell, one sister, Karen, and one brother-in-law, Ted Reed.

Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife of the home in Stilwell, Debra Kay Howell. He also leaves his mother, Virgie B. Howell, and his brothers and sisters, Ronnie Dale Howell and wife Mary Ann of Dixon, MO, Cynthia Diane Reed of Conway, AR, James Howell and wife Lorna of Butterfield, MO, Kenneth Howell and companion Kelly of Springdale, AR, Donna Kay Kling and husband Heath of Elkins, AR, and Jeffrey Howell and wife Stephanie of Prairie Grove, AR. He lives on in his children, Tammy Johnson and husband Mark of Mesa, AZ, Gary Howell Jr. and Heather of Gold Canyon, AZ, Chucky Dale Howell and companion Laura of Stilwell, OK, Orville Ray Howell and companion Simmona Torralba of Amarillo, TX, Patrick Howell of Las Vegas, NV, Crystal Hewitt and husband Phillip of Westville, OK, and Kendall Howell of Licking, MO. He leaves his numerous grand and great grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones.

Funeral services for Gary Lee Howell will be held on Friday, January 28th, 2022 at 3:00 PM at Reed-Culver Chapel with Pastor Larry Swafford officiating. His visitation will be held at 2:00 PM prior to services on Friday. Online condolences for his family may be left at www.reedculver.com.