Robert "Bob" Eugene Howell

Robert (Bob) Eugene Howell, the son of John Shelby Howell and Mildred Beatrice (Smith) Howell was born July 5, 1937. On February 23, 2023, after a short illness, Bob passed away on Big Creek one mile from his birthplace making his age 85 years and 7 months.  Robert was the fifth child and the first-born son of twelve children.

As a child, Bob attended a one room schoolhouse at Cedar Grove before attending Summersville High School where he graduated in 1955. After graduation, he ventured out west to work on an Oregon wheat ranch with his Uncle Lee Smith. A few years later, he took the opportunity to manage his own wheat ranch. While out west, he grew his love for horses and roping.

Robert met the love of his life Donna Jean (Thompson) Howell on a blind date in 1964.  They eloped to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho May 8, 1965.  Robert and Donna had an inseparable bond.  To their union, Donna brought a beautiful 2-year-old daughter Lorri Jean. Later they were blessed with a son, Brett Eugene. In the fall of 1967, Robert and Donna moved their family back to the Hartshorn area before purchasing the family farm on Big Creek.

Bob had a strong work ethic and passed it on to his children and grandchildren.  Throughout his working years, Bob enjoyed many career opportunities including rancher, beef cattle, feeder pigs, dairy cattle, dozing, and heavy equipment operator.  In 1985 he went to work in the Alaskan oil fields maintaining roads for approximately ten years flying home during his time off to help keep the farm running.

In 1999, Bob, Donna, Brett, and Lisa made his lifelong dream, Big Creek Trail Ride a reality. Bob was active with the business and involved in all areas of its operation throughout the years.  You could find him guiding trail rides as a trail boss, visiting, cooking bacon, and making coffee and messes in the kitchen. He enjoyed sharing stories and history about the area where he was born and raised. So many relationships and lifelong friends were formed with trail riders from across the country.

Aside from the trail ride, Bob appreciated other hobbies and pastimes.  During the last few years, you could find Bob sitting in the stands on Mondays at the Salem Livestock Auction.  He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, grabbing suckers, hunting, especially elk hunting in Colorado, trapping, checking cows, cutting wood, and riding horses. In the evenings you could find him playing cards with his buddies. “Heavy” as he was known, never turned down a good meal, particularly a tasty fish fry!  He loved sports--specifically rodeos, football, and the St. Louis Cardinals.  Bob was a member of the Summersville Saddle Club, Back Country Horsemen of Missouri, and Remembering Cedar Grove.

Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife Donna Jean; his parents John and Mildred Howell; his father- and mother-in-law Alfred and Cloe Thompson, brother-in-law James Thompson; his sisters Edna Mae Clayton and husband Art; Fern George and husband Joe; Jean Eiffert and husband Eddie; Louise Pitts; and Becky Thomlinson and husband Kenny; his brothers George Howell and wife Marilynn; Danny Howell and wife Linda; and Billy Howell; and sister-in law Cindy Howell.

He is survived by his daughter Lorri Strider and husband Hank of Mtn. Home, AR, his son Brett Howell and wife Lisa of Big Creek, and son RV Hamley and wife Shannon of Idaho; grandchildren Vanessa (Howell) Doss and husband Kevin, Landon Howell and wife Sara, Taylor Howell, Hannah (Strider) Slusser and husband Logan, Jim Strider and wife Haley; and great-grandchildren Annabelle, Charlie, and Royce Howell, Blake Doss, and Jackson Slusser. Also left to mourn are his brothers Pete Howell and wife Janice, Johnny Howell, Gordon Howell and wife Mary; sister-in-law Kay Howell; brother-in-law Mark Thompson and wife Mary; several nieces and nephews; and many extended family members, along with a multitude of friends who were as close as family. Bob was known for his kindness, positive attitude, courteousness, handshakes, bear hugs and never hesitating to say, “I Love You!”  He was a wonderful dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa who truly enjoyed spending time with his family. Bob will be remembered as a man who never shirked hard work, but always had time to visit with a friend, lead a trail ride, or lend a helping hand. Heaven earned a great trail-boss who will be dearly missed by all who knew him.