Eugene Howell

ROYSE CITY, Texas -- Eugene Dee Howell, 93, of Royse City, formerly of Quinlan, Fort Worth and Amarillo, Texas, and Cape Girardeau, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Rockwall, Texas.

Gene was born in Cape Girardeau Feb. 26, 1927, to Perry Alfonso and Ethel Edith Dockins Howell. He married Dorothy Lee Howell on March 16, 1946, in Jackson, and she preceded him in death in 2012. He married Robbie Gay Davis Howell on June 2, 2013, in Caddo Mills, Texas.

Gene served in the U.S. Army. He worked as a technical writer at General Dynamics in Fort Worth and as a math instructor for the U.S. Air Force in Amarillo.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Fate, Texas, and a lifelong Southern Baptist.

Gene was a tireless servant in many churches over the course of his life. For over 70 years he served as a lay music minister, and in that capacity led countless numbers of people, especially young people, to develop their musical gifts under his guiding hand and voice. He was also an avid softball pitcher, and his curve ball made many a hitter look foolish. He was fascinated by the English language in general, and its quirks in particular, and delighted in conversations about the latter with his grandchildren. He loved to travel, he loved to solve Sudoku puzzles, and he loved to tell stories about growing up in Southeast Missouri. He loved his family and friends, and he loved Jesus.

Gene is survived by his wife, Robbie Gay Davis Howell; daughters, Karen Howell (David) Clinkscale and Sherry Howell (Richard) Ryan; son, Brian Keith (Tracey) Howell; sisters, Sue Howell (John) Cox and Faye Howell Seifrit; grandchildren, Casey Chaney, Brian Clinkscale, Rebekah Grubbs, Cory Clinkscale, Leslie Walsh, Emily LaRue, Aaron Howell, Jeremiah Howell and Jacob Howell; 10 great-grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Lee Howell; his parents; brother, Benny Gerald Howell; and sister, Lecy Erlene Iezzi.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch in memory of Gene.

Coker-Mathews Funeral Home of Greenville, Texas, is in charge of arrangements.