Marx Howell

Marx R. Howell, of Round Rock, Texas passed away on June 17, 2026. He was born August 24, 1938, in Daingerfield, Texas to the late J. Frank and Ila Mae (Newby) Howell. He was preceded in death by his sisters: Yvonne Howell Lucas and Martha Howell Edens, and his brothers: William C. Howell and Howard Howell. He is survived by a twin sister: Mary Howell Kent, of Houston. Left behind to cherish his memories are many friends and relatives. Survivors include Jeannie (Abell) Howell and Kimberley (Bryan) Sedwick. He referred to his wife, Jeannie, as the “bright light” of his life. The biggest joys of his life were the sons of Kimberley Sedwick (Kevin). Marx loved being Papa to Chance and Breydon Sedwick. They would go fishing, camping, shoot guns, and just talk. Marx also had many nieces and nephews and their children who all called him “Unkie” and adored him. He had a very special relationship with each one of them.

He grew up in Daingerfield, Texas and graduated from high school there in 1956. He was a U. S. Marine Corps Veteran and obtained a BS degree in Criminal Justice. He was a 33-year veteran of the Texas Department of Public Safety, He was a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Class of 101. During his tenure at DPS, he was Captain of the Narcotics Task Force. He was an occasional driver for Lady Bird Johnson and Governor John Connally. He received a commendation from a bank in Corpus Christi when he captured a bank robber. He was interviewed for the television show “Unsolved Mysteries” about a case he worked on, and it ended up being related to the Yogurt Shop murders. He was Past President of the Capital Area Peace Officers’ Assn. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Cold Case Review team sponsored by the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas for 35 years. He also held a Master Police Officer Certification and was an approved Law Enforcement Instructor. He was an expert on criminal profiling. Marx was passionate about studying forensic hypnosis to see how it could be used to aid law enforcement. He studied hypnosis under the late Martin Reiser, Ed.D. He went to multiple training classes on the subject, and how it might apply to law enforcement and cold cases. He was chairman of the Forensic Hypnosis Oversight committee for the Department of Public Safety, and a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists. He authored articles on Forensic Hypnosis in the US and Canada. He was instrumental in passing a bill in Texas to allow evidence obtained during forensic hypnosis to be allowed as evidence in Texas. Marx retired from DPS in 1993 but continued to teach classes to law enforcement officers and civilians as recently as a few months ago. Marx taught classes about criminal profiling, mass shooters, forensic hypnosis, and public safety, among others. He had an amazing 64 years of law enforcement experience.

Marx had many friends in law enforcement who were drawn to his passion and dedication to police work, his skill as an instructor, his enthusiasm, and his sense of humor.

His family and friends draw strength from the assurance that this is not the end, but the beginning of a new life for him with the Lord.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Methodist Children’s Home (mch.org) in Waco, Texas. (Marx’s father was raised there.)