Robert Howell

Robert Eugene Howell (Bob) a long-time resident of Portland, Texas, went to be with the Lord on the 20th day of April 2021.  Bob was born in Van Buren, Arkansas on Thanksgiving Day, the 25th day of November 1926, to Mabel Lee and Claude C. Howell.  His dad worked for an oil company and they moved quite frequently.  They lived in Oklahoma, Woodsboro, Bloomington and Placedo, Texas.  Bob graduated from Bloomington High School in May 1944.  After graduating, Bob joined the Army Springfield Training Program and 6 days later was shipped off to attend Oklahoma A&M until going in the regular Army in December 1944.  Bob took his basic training at Fort Hood, Texas.  Three months later Bob headed to the South Pacific and landed on the island of Leyte to mop up the remnants of the Japanese forces.  They were also practicing amphibious lands on Mediante when World War II ended.  They then headed to Program South Korea to serve as an occupational force.  When the Korean War ended, Bob was sent back home and was discharged on his birthday in November 1946.

Bob attended Victoria Junior College and while attending, he met the love of his life, Lorene Migl.  They were married on March 13, 1948.  After earning a Associates Degree in Engineering; Bob and Lorene moved to Kingsville, Texas for Bob to attend Texas A&I where he graduated in 1950 with a BS degree in Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering.  Bob then accepted a job with Sun Oil Company and moved many times during his 35-year career.  His tour of duty included places such as, Cartage, Texas, San Isidro, Texas, Silver, Texas, Delhi Louisiana, Laverne Oklahoma, Maracaibo, Venezuela and finally Corpus Christi, Texas.   While living in Silver, Bob served as President for the Lions Club and when the family was in Laverne, Oklahoma, Bob was Scout Master for- his sons Scout Troop.  He also served on the Laverne Hospital Board.  While living in Maracaibo, Venezuela, Bob served as Chief Inspector for the building of two plants.  One on Lake Maracaibo and the other onshore at Bajo Grande.  In 1970 the family was transferred to Corpus Christi.  While in Corpus, Bob attained his Professional Engineering License.

Bob served as a Deacon in the First Baptist Church in Portland for many years and served as a Sunday School teacher for young men that were Juniors in High School.  Bob retired from Sun Oil Company on November 1, 1986.

Bob enjoyed many different hobbies.  He loved playing gold, hunting, fishing, woodworking, stained glass and helping people.  Bob and Lorene celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary on March 13, 2021.

Bob was preceded in death by his father and mother Claude and Mable Howell, his sister Robbie Lee Love, brother-in-law Ward Love, his aunt and uncle, Bill and Bessie Leonard, his aunt, Sue Deer, his cousin, Phyllis Collis and daughters-in-law, Cindy and Kathy Howell.

He is survived by his loving wife, Lorene Migl Howell, his sons, Craig Howell (and his wife Linda), Keith Howell. Granddaughters Krista Mulkey (and her husband, Justin), Kara Howell, Kelsey Howell and Krystal Howell.  Great grandchildren Landon and Ryleigh Woynaroski, Waylon Mulkey.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00PM Saturday, May 1, 2021 at the First Baptist Church of Portland.