Floyd Howell

Floyd Bud Ray Howell lost his battle with esophageal cancer on March 4, 2010. He was born to Raymond Howell and Nancy Havercamp on October 20, 1948 in Sandborn, Indiana. He grew up in Indiana and Bisbee, Arizona. After high school he was drafted to the Army and spent 2 yrs serving our country. He received bronze star and 3 purple hearts for his time in Vietnam. He married Darlene Lasater in Bisbee on June 5, 1971. He worked for Culiver Motor Company in Bisbee, the City of Bisbee and Phelps Dodge Mining Corporation. In 1974 he was transferred to Morenci, AZ and moved his family to Morenci in Dec of 74. They had three children, two boys Stacy Ray and Scott William both born in Bisbee. Bud worked for the City of Bisbee and then Phelps Dodge. He was transferred to Morenci in 1974 were his third child, a girl, his pride and joy Tanya Rae was born. The family enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting together. While in Morenci their Bishop and home teacher James Knight would take Bud fishing and tell him he was going to throw him in the lake and baptize him. It was a long standing joke and topic of conversation at many fish fries. The Howell's moved to Thatcher in 1984. In 1985 Bishop Knight was able to baptize Bud into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In June of 1986 he took his family to the Mesa Arizona Temple to be sealed for all time and eternity. He was a hard worker and good provider. His family meant the world to him. He could do just about everything around the house and did until he got sick. Bud got an early retirement and spent most of his time taking care of his grandsons and watching TV. He was very proud of his children and was a fantastic Grandpa. He was a great uncle to his nieces and nephews. Bud was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, the VFW and the Black Lions/28th Infantry Association. A special thank you to the Chemo Angels- Staci, Chris and Nicole. Bud was a quiet man but will be missed by all who knew him. Bud is survived by his wife Darlene Howell, daughter Tanya Romero, sons Stacy (Ari) Howell, Scott (Becky) Howell, 5 grandchildren, 1 great granddaughter, mother Nancy Sommer and sister JoAnne Krieser . He was preceded in death by his father Raymond Eugene Howell. Funeral Services will be conducted by Bishop David Udall, Thursday, March 11th at 11 a.m. in the Thatcher LDS Stake Center. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services. Interment will follow in the Thatcher Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Gila Valley Honor Guard.