James M Howell

Murray was born September 19, 1923, to William Ellis and Lucille Parks Howell in Midland, Texas. He graduated from Midland High School in 1941.

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Murray joined the Navy in March 1942. Following boot camp and radio school he was assigned to a PBY sea plane as a radioman-gunner with the assignment of patrolling the east coast in search of German submarines. Two years later he was transferred to an aircraft Carrier Service Unit in Rhode Island. He served in that unit until the war ended in August 1945. He was discharged from the Navy November 1945.

Murray relocated to Odessa, Texas. During that time he worked in the grocery business owned by his Father. There he met his future bride, Syble Lea Cummings when he short changed her $10. They were married on January 14, 1949.

Murray re-enlisted in the Naval Reserve in 1949 and continued his radio training. During the Korean War he was recalled to active duty in 1951. After serving at duty stations in Odessa and Enid, Oklahoma, he joined the regular Navy in 1961, and began his submarine duty. After training, he was assigned to the Ballistic missile submarine USS Lafayette [SSBN-616]. He was later assigned to the USS Calhoun [SSBN 630] Several 60 day underwater patrols were made in the North Atlantic during the cold war with Russia while operating out of Charleston, S.C. and Rota, Spain. In 1968 Murray was transferred to the China Lake Naval Weapons Center in California. There he served in a Mobile Technical Service Unit in San Diego, California, where he retired from the Navy in June 1972 after 26 years of active naval service.

Murray and Syble grew up in West Texas so they chose San Angelo as their future home and moved there in 1972, where they lived until their deaths.

Murray enrolled in Angelo State University in July 1973 and graduated with a BS degree in 1977. He worked in real estate for several years .

Murray was preceded in death by his wife Syble of 53 years, his parents, brother Morris Howell and Sister Dorothy Greston. He is survived by his son James Randall (Connie) Howell of Corpus Christi, TX, Grandsons, James Howell and Kory (Trista) Howell both of Comanche, TX. Granddaughters Ashley (Eddie) Borsella of Plano, TX, Amanda (Cory) Casey of Portland, TX and April (Carl) Feuge of Rankin, TX. He is survived by 13 great grandchildren. Also surviving a brother Leonard Howell and sister Vernelle Belin both of Arlington, TX.

Graveside service will be Friday, March 11 at 1 pm with internment at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Goodfellow Honor Guard members. Arrangements are by Johnson’s Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at johnsons-funeralhome.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Johnson's Funeral Home, San Angelo, TX.