Bobby Dean Howell

Bobby Dean Howell, 81, of Renton, Washington, passed away on Monday, November 28, 2016, at his home. He was a longtime resident of Hemet, CA, before moving to Washington state in June 2016 to live near his daughters.

Bobby was born in Cookeville, TN, to the late Shelia and Ethel Howell. He grew up with two brothers and a sister in rural Cookeville, located about 80 miles east of Nashville. After graduating from nearby Baxter Seminary, he worked briefly in the automotive industry in Detroit, MI, before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1954. His two terms of service from 1954 - 1962 included assignment to the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) in southern California.

After leaving the Air Force, Bobby remained in southern California where he spent more than 30 years working for a range of companies before retiring as Chief Accountant from the former Long Beach Community Hospital in 1994. Beyond his work, Bobby enjoyed photography, fishing, writing faith-related poetry, listening to gospel music, and reading books about espionage. He also was deeply devoted to Bible study.

Bobby's wife Barbara Ann (Hubocan) Howell preceded him in death on April 8, 2013, in Hemet, CA. He is survived by three daughters, Kerry Howell of Kamuela, HI and San Francisco, CA, Rhonda (Howell) Beck and husband Curtis of Bellevue, WA and Anthem, AZ, Lori Howell of Kent, WA; two grandchildren, Alex McKiernan and Christopher McKiernan; and, brother Harold Howell and wife Patsy of Cookeville, TN.