Lawrence Eugene Howell

Lawrence Eugene (Laddie) Howell re-joined his dance partner of over 54 years as she dances with the angels. He passed away on the evening January 8th, 2026 after a short battle with aggressive skin cancer. He was born on November 5th, 1946 in Eugene, Oregon as the second oldest son of John R Howell and Mairlyn J Howell. He was adopted by William Douglas Howell and moved with his family as an Air Force “brat” including time in Alaska and Massachusetts. He graduated from Bourne High School, Bourne, MA as part of the class of 1965.


Shortly after graduation he enlisted in the US Army where he would serve for 23 years. He joined with a goal of practicing medicine after a live saving heart surgery as a small child. He started his military career as a medical specialist.

He traveled to Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. where he would meet his future wife Deyanne K. (Golsch) Howell at a square dance at Brooks Air Force Base. They married on August 22, 1970. His service also put him in harm's way multiple times with assignments in both Korea and Vietnam. These assignments were even more dangerous as a member of the 5th Special Forces Group, serving as both an intelligence/recon specialist and as combat medic, taking him behind enemy lines, training locals in counter insurgency. During one mission he was hit by friendly fire, severely wounding him and earning a Purple Heart.

He has earned other awards including: Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal , National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam (RVN) Gallantry Cross with palm, Republic of Vietnam (RVN) Campaign Medal, Combat infantry badge, and Parachute badge.

After his assignments as part of the Vietnam war, he went back to medicine, completing his training to become an LVN. He also was selected and completed the Army’s Physician Assistance program and was promoted from an enlisted soldier to a warrant officer, eventually retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer 2.

Other assignment locations included time at Ft. Hood, TX, Ft. Bragg, NC, Fort Ord, CA, Friedberg, West Germany , Camp Casey, Korea.

He retired from Ft. Bliss, TX on October 31st 1988 and returned home to San Antonio to enjoy civilian life. He was recalled to service in support of Operation Desert Shield/Operation Desert Storm and assigned to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO disappointing his youngest son as this was an un-accompanied tour and his son was looking forward to the move when dad received his activation orders.

After a short 3-month reactivation stint he returned to civilian life as a Physician Assistant working mostly in acute/urgent care and primary medicine. He worked as a contractor at both military hospitals in San Antonio as well as starting up the urgent care clinic downtown while working with the University Health System.

Outside of work he really enjoyed the outdoors. Spending his free time hunting and fishing when the opportunity presented itself. He helped all 7 of his sons achieve the rank of Eagle scout by serving as a Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, and merit badge counselor. He also enjoyed photography, shooting, collecting guns, and reloading his own ammunition. He always has had a new gun story or new information on a certain reload. He passed on his love of photography to his third son and numerous grandkids. He was also active in his church as a member of the Knights of Columbus.

One of his biggest joys in life however, was traveling with his wife visiting historical places and square dance events. The mode of travel varied including by plane, ship or even car towing their travel trailer. Together they traveled to all 50 states and multiple countries and several trips across the Atlantic.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years Deyanne K Howell and his youngest brother William Edmond Howell.

He is survived by his seven sons: Ronald Laurence (wife - Tammy), Christopher Eric “Kit” (wife - April), Jayeson Travis, Michael Wayne (wife - April), Bryan Nicklaus, Chauncy James (wife - Sara), and Bradely Warren. He has 11 grandchildren: Tacey Avery Nichol Howell, Aydan Connor Howell, Tiffany Howell Melhase (husband - Dax) , Dakota Nicklaus Howell, Andi Lynn Howell, Lillian Grace Howell, Brianna Alishia Howell, Elizabetha Torri Howell, Hilbert Blake Howell, Jacob Timothy Howell, and Eli James Howell. He is also survived by his brothers John R. Howell (wife - Bo Eun Hon) and Thomas Clifford Howell (wife - Colleen).

Viewing will be held at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 6680 Crestway Dr, San Antonio, TX 78239 on Jan 26th from 1000-1100 . Rosary and funeral mass will follow starting at 1100. An interment ceremony with full military honors and horse drawn caisson escort will take place Wednesday Jan 28th at 0900 at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please donate to a worthy veterans charity or plant a tree in his honor.