Leon P Howell

1938 – 2023

Leon P Howell, the second of four children, was born October 17, 1938 in Portland Oregon to Quincy D Howell and Edna L (Malm) Howell and died in his home November 30, 2023. He was 85 years old.

His father was in the US Army Air Corp and Leon’s travels began only after six weeks of age. Before starting first grade, he lived in Walla Walla, Pendleton, Bend, Eugene, Petaluma, and Spokane (twice). His school years were spent in 16 different schools in seven states, Germany and Canada, finishing in Mountain Home, Idaho in 1956.

He worked one year for Samson Truck Line and then went to work for Whitney Transfer and Storage on Friday the 5th of July 1957 so everyone who worked there could have a four-day weekend. His first day on the job he had the keys to the door.

He built a small home in Mountain Home that was paid for when he moved in. He wed Sylva E. Whitney on July 16, 1959. It was 112 degrees and very dusty as every street and sidewalk in Mountain Home was being excavated for paving.

He served in the US Army from 1961 to 1963. Son Jason Wayne was born in 1963 while in Germany, and son Aaron Quincy was born in 1965 after returning to Mountain Home. He began managing Whitney Transfer and Storage in 1966 and purchased it in 1976. He built a cabin at Featherville, Idaho with a little help from his friends, particularly Bruce Hicks and Alton Harris.

During this time, he and Sylva were divorced.

He enjoyed the outdoors, boating, fishing, hunting, models and marbles. He also enjoyed working in his yard and woodshop where he made many fine furniture pieces over the years.

He was a registered driver for Allied Van Lines for 35 years. He was on the City Planning and Zoning Commission, Director for Camp Wilson, Air Force Appreciation Day Committee member, Director for Euskal Lagunak, and BPOE member.

On August 5, 1980 he married his beloved Bonnie Morgan in his home and acquired his wonderful daughter Kelli Ann Berryman. He was baptized in the Catholic Church in April of 1996 and wed Bonnie in the church on August 5, 1996.

Leon is preceded in death by his father Quincy and mother Edna, wife Bonnie, son Jason, sister Susan Ward, and grandson Stratford. He is survived by his daughter Kelli, son Aaron (Sue), brother Stephen (Donna), sister Joyce (Rick) Adams, grandsons Colby (Nora), Benjamin (Angie), Austin (Journey), Drew, Gabriel, and great-grandson Wayne Aaron Howell.

Leon will be cremated and interred with his beloved wife Bonnie in Mountain Home Cemetery in a private family ceremony. Cremation under the direction of Rost Funeral Home.