Keith Alan Howell

Memorial service: 2 p.m. Sunday at Connect Church (Bob Duncan Center), 2800 S. Center St., Arlington. Family visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Interment: 9:30 a.m. Monday in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas.

Keith was born Aug. 6, 1953, to Leonard and Ethelyn Howell in Midland. He resided in Midland until his graduation from Robert E. Lee High School in 1971. Keith married his best friend and true love, Brenda Sue Bourke, on May 19, 1973, in Midland. They were blessed with the birth of their son, Brian Christopher Howell, in 1981. He was a 1976 graduate of Angelo State University, San Angelo, where he earned his bachelor's degree in business administration. He was awarded his master of arts degree in management from Webster University, San Antonio, in 1983.

Lt. Col. Howell received his commission through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps in May 1976. His first assignment took him to Carswell Air Force Base. His assignments included The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Reese Air Force Base, Texas, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, and Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. From August 1990 to March 1991, he was deployed to Southwest Asia in support of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He went on to command the 435th Services Squadron, Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany, from July 1991 to April 1994. In April 1994, he assumed his position at Headquarters AAFES in Dallas.

He retired from active duty service in June 1998. His military decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Air Force Achievement Medal. Following retirement from the service, Keith returned to work for AAFES in September 2001, with his last position as strategic marketing manager.

Keith was an avid fisherman and enjoyed taking cruises with his beloved Brenda. Keith was a much beloved, admired and respected husband, father, son, brother and friend to many. His devotion to God, country and family were beyond reproach. His wit and wisdom will be truly missed.

Keith was predeceased by his mother, Mary Ethelyn Wilson-Howell.

Survivors: Wife, Brenda; son, Brian; father, Leonard Howell of Arlington; brother, Benton and his wife, Gloria Howell, of Oklahoma. He is also survived by mother-in-law, Lucile Bourke of Arlington. He will forever be remembered by his brother-in-law, Dennis Bourke and wife, Barbara, of Bend; sister-in-law, Lanell Stehle and husband, Murry, of Bryan; brother-in-law, Jack Bourke and wife, Mary, of Plano; and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and wonderful friends.

Moore Funeral Home-Bowen Chapel

4216 S. Bowen Road

Arlington, TX 76016

(817) 468-8111