Wayne Howell

WAYNE HOWELL   Arthur “ Wayne “ Howell, 90 year-old Seminole County resident, passed away Monday, April 28, 2014 at the Norman VA Center where since October, 2013 he had resided. He was born November 19, 1923 in Laverne, Oklahoma to parents Elmer Howell and Elizabeth “ Lizzie (Ogden) Howell.   Wayne graduated from Laverne High School and enlisted in the Navy. Wayne was a veteran of WWII serving as a gunner on the SS Cyrus H. McCormick, the last merchant vessel sunk by a German sub, and the SS William M. Eastland. He sailed around the world and his final duty station was Pearl Harbor where he was assigned shore patrol. He received the Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.   Following the war Wayne married Margrete Ruth Stokes, November 9, 1946, in Clinton, Oklahoma. In 1959 the couple and their two daughters moved to a ranch in the Wolf community from Oologah, Oklahoma.   Wayne was a life-long farmer and rancher. He was known for producing award winning hay at both county and state level and raising good beef cattle. He was a member of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association. At age 87 he was still brush-hogging his pastures, riding his 4-wheeler, and watering livestock. Throughout his life he retained a strong handshake and good sense of humor. Wayne loved his family and was always willing to help others. His generous nature and honesty was evident to family, friends, and neighbors.   Wayne was preceded in death by his wife, Margrete Ruth Stokes Howell, parents Elmer and Lizzie Howell, step-mother Ollie Howell and brothers Alvin H. Howell and Willie A. Howell.   Survivors include his two daughters and son-in-law, Jeanette Margrete Harjo and husband Phillip Harjo of Maud, Oklahoma and Katherine Ruth House of Seminole, Oklahoma, one sister Dorothy Howell Fuller of Spartanburg, South Carolina, five grandchildren; Stephen Harjo, Lance Harjo, Scott Harjo, Tyler Lane and Travis Lane, eight great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.   In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be sent to the Bowlegs Methodist Church in Memory of Wayne Howell, 36033 EW 1210 Seminole, Oklahoma 74868.   Memorial services with U.S. Naval Honors will be at 11:00 A.M., Friday, May 2, 2014 at the Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole.   Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral Information: May 2, 2014, 11:00 AM Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel located at 1001 N. Milt Phillips, Seminole, OK 74868