James Eugene "Gene" Howell

Services for James Eugene "Gene" Howell, 85, of Gilmer will be held 10:00 A.M, Saturday, August 18, 2012, at Croley Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Marion Palmer officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Gilmer. Mr. Howell died August 15, 2012, at Longview Regional Hospital with his children by his side. Mr. Howell was born on February 26, 1927, in the Latch Community to Willie Charles Howell and Doris Sudduth Howell and was the second of seven children. He served in the U. S. Army during WWII and was a millwright at Lone Star Steel for 35 years until his retirement. He met Norma Davis in 1951 and they were married for 29 years until her death in 2000. His interests included N Gauge model trains, tinkering on his Allis Chalmers tractor and geocaching. Mr. Howell enjoyed spending time with his coffee buddies at McDonald"s. He is survived by sons, Randy Howell and his wife, Angea of Gilmer, Brian Howell of Longview; daughters, Shelia Howell Ratcliff and husband, Steve of Marshall, Tracey Howell Palmer of Gilmer; brothers, Frank Howell and wife, Ruthie of Diana, Jerry Howell and wife, Janice of Gilmer; sister, Ruth Stegall and husband, Billy of Longview; grandchildren, Robbie Howell, Joseph Palmer, Daniel Palmer and wife, Shannon and Amanda Palmer; and 5 great grandchildren. Mr. Howell was also preceded in death by 3 brothers, Howard, Charlie and Dan Howell. Pallbearers are Patrick Eugene Howell, Joseph Palmer, Daniel Palmer, Robbie Howell, Mark Howell and Ronnie Howell. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 17, 2012 from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.