Obituary of Bobbie Howell

Bobbie Lee Howell was born July 10, 1923 in Hanson, OK to Raymond Lee & Bonnie Lee (Watson) Howell and passed from his earthly life August 15, 2012 at age 89. Bob entered first grade at age four and graduated high school in 1940 when he was 16. On his 17th birthday he joined the CCC and was sent to Paradox, CO for 6-months. At the onset of WWII he returned to Oklahoma and enlisted in the Navy and became a mechanic and gunner in the South Pacific. Upon receiving his honorable discharge in 1945 he enrolled at Oklahoma A&M where he received his degree in petroleum engineering. He joined Sinclair in August 1950 and worked in Ardmore and Drumright before returning to work in the Tulsa office in 1954. He was employed by Sinclair for 19 years and Arco for 16 years before retiring in 1985. Growing up he listened to the radio which fostered a lifelong love of music including big band, jazz, swing, gospel and country. Over the years he amassed a large music collection. He would take his radio or cassette player to bed with him and if he woke up during the night he would put on his earphones and listen to music. Bob enjoyed playing golf in Tulsa with family and friends and at beautiful locations around the country. He enjoyed family gatherings, loved to fish and enjoyed being outside at the lake. Bob was a very good driver but he drove with two feetone on the gas and one on the brake! He denied doing that but anyone who rode with him could see and feel him doing it. In spite of his driving technique he never had a serious wreck. Bob was a long time member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and was a charter member of both Yale Avenue and Bethany Christian churches before joining First Christian Church, Tulsa in 1975. He was preceded in death by his parents; his younger sister, Mary Jane; and his older brother, Howard Bernell. Bob is survived by his wife, Maxine of the home; his sister, Delmarie Gilbreath of Houston, TX; his brother, Jackie Rayburn and his wife Barbara of Alexander, AR; his sons, Johnny Mack and his wife Kristy of Bedford, TX, Dr. Robert Dale and his wife Sharon of Santa Rosa, CA and Barry Lee of Locust Grove, his step-daughter, Christie Singleton and her husband, Warren of Coweta, his step-son, Mark Childers of Santa Fe, NM; his grandchildren Jeffrey, Jonathan, Laura, Peter, Michael Sean and his wife Erin, Patrick Daniel and his wife Carie, Aaron Edward and Hunter Gabriel, his great-grandchildren J.R., Preston, Brylie, and Eli; and a number of other relatives and friends. A memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the First Christian Church.