Obituary of Thomas John Howell

Funeral services for Thomas John Howell, 89, of Lovington, NM will be held on Monday, February 25, 2019 at 10:00 am at St. Thomas Catholic Church with Father Jesus Martinez officiating. Burial will follow at Lovington Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home. Mr. Howell was born in Felt, OK on January 20, 1930 to Charles Madison and Bessie (Stewart) Howell and passed away on February 20, 2019 in Lovington, NM. He grew up and attended school in Felt, OK, graduating as Salutatorian of his class of which there were seven students. Thomas served in the US Army in Tokyo, Japan and transferred to Korea with the 555th Field Artillery, 5th R.C.T. He was wounded in action and captured by the Chinese Forces on July 14, 1953 and was awarded The Purple Heart for his wound received in combat. He married Violet Bruder in Lincoln, Nebraska on October 27, 1973 and they raised eight children. They lived in Denver City, TX for many years and then came to Lovington in 1984. Thomas was employed for many years with SPS (now Excel). He was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church and he enjoyed meeting his friends for coffee at the coffee place. He liked reading and fishing and traveling to see their grandchildren. He was a family man and loved having his family around. He will be greatly missed. Preceding him in death were his parents; one son: John Howell; two sisters; Dora Mae Rammage and Myrtle Riggs; and two brothers: Charles and Gerald Howell. Surviving him is his wife Violet of the home; three sons: Tom and wife Jolene Howell of Lincoln, NE, Matthew Howell and his Fiancee, Kelly Anderson of Lovington; Mark Baxter and his significant other, Julie Oligschlaeger of Houston, TX; four daughters: Theresa and husband Shawn Hubbell of Denver, CO; Teri and husband Lou LoBello of Appleton, WI, Rose Baxter of Denver City, TX and Kimberley and husband Jim Haiar of Sioux Falls, SD; one brother: Everett Howell of Tribune, KS; also a daughter-in-law: Debbie Howell of Lincoln, NE and twenty two grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 24th from 1:00 pm until Rosary time at 6:00 pm.