John W. Howell died at his home January 29, 2011. He was 80 years old.
John was born on January 6, 1931 in Deer Lodge to Henry W. and Addie M. Howell. After graduating from Deer Lodge High School, John moved to Bozeman in 1949 to attend Montana State College. College was interrupted while John served in the Army. After his discharge from the Army, John returned to Bozeman to finish his college education. While in college, John met his future wife, Ree Cooper. They divorced after 25 years of marriage, but remained close until John’s death. After graduating college, John worked for a year at MSC. In 1956, with encouragement from a college professor, John started his career with the Internal Revenue Service, where he worked until his retirement in 1984.
John had many fond memories of growing up in Deer Lodge. He talked about listening to the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor while resting his head on the radio, which in those times was as big as a piece of furniture. He fondly remembered general mischievousness, making pipe bombs and collecting paper and tin to help in the war effort, while his brother Henry Jr. served in the Pacific Theater. His parents and brother had all passed away by the time John finished high school.
After his retirement, and not one for being idle, John sold his cabin and thankfully, his motorcycle, and moved to Seattle to work in the pension field where he worked until moving back to Helena in 2003. While in Seattle, John also volunteered at a local hospital and rarely missed his daily walk on “The Lid.” He had a close group of friends in Seattle with which he enjoyed many activities and social events.
John loved to take his young family camping, hiking and vacationing at Seeley Lake in western Montana. He was actively involved in scouting where he served as Assistant Scout Master, as well as serving on the Eagle Scout Board of Review, where he often commented on the fine character and quality of the young men who were just steps from becoming Eagle Scouts.
John took great care of his belongings and often tinkered on a Jeep. One evening while working underneath the Jeep, John came to the realization that smoking his pipe was not the smartest of choices while being under the car, with flammable liquids dripping on the ground next to his face. He quit that evening and never smoked again.
John had many interests and loved trying to understand the vastness of space, as well as reading poetry and reciting poems to anyone who would listen. New technology fascinated John. He enjoyed his computer and the wealth of information available about our world at the touch of a button. He had a big heart for those who were less fortunate and would often paraphrase the 16th century Rev. John Bradford, “There but for the grace of God go I.”
John also talked about all of the wonderful people that he met in his life time, including childhood chums, college and Army buddies, his Seattle friends, as well as many professional colleagues. He was regretful that he didn’t thank those people who had such a huge impact on this life, specifically those family friends who opened up their homes to him so that he had a place to spend while on breaks from college.
John enjoyed his travels to Israel, Jordan, Hawaii, and just last fall, to Europe. His goal in England was to have tea with the Queen, but she must have had more pressing issues. He was known to say, “I only need a minute to be ready to go anywhere at any time.”
John appreciated the care he received from the staff at Fort Harrison VA Hospital, and always commented about the wonderful care he received during his time there.
John is survived by his ex-wife, Ree; their children, James (Jan) of Bellevue, WA, Ron (Colleen) of Bozeman, MT, Martie of Belgrade, MT and Marcie (Tim) Ross of McFarland, WI. In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren in whom he took great pride: Jessica (Greg) Hall and Elizabeth Howell; Anthony, Jacob, Samuel and Joshua Howell; and Benjamin, Kenneth and Jenna Ross. He is also survived by his niece, Laura (Jim) Hull and their children, Christina Brazas and Steven.
A memorial service will take place at a later date. Burial of his cremated remains was at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Boy Scouts at BSA Prickly Pear District, 3741 Clinton St., East Helena, MT 59635 or to a veterans group of choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.aswfuneralhome.com.
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Ken Cooper says
Ree & Family,
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on John’s passing.
Best regards,
Ken
Maggie Richart says
I will alway remember John with very fond memories. He was a very dear friend to me. I am sorry for your great loss.
Maggie