Michael Philip Howell

On Monday December 15, 2025, Mike Howell unexpectedly passed away at the age of 58.

Mike was born February 2, 1967, in Riverhead, NY to Phil and Ann Howell. Phil was an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force and being a military family, they traveled the world. Phil, Ann and Mike traveled from New York to Okinawa, Japan, and from there back to the States, where, while stationed at Williams Air Force Base in Mesa, AZ, little sister Michelle was born in 1972. The family continued their travels, with stops in the Philippines, Aquebogue, NY, Panama City, FL and Columbus, MS.

During this stop in Columbus in 1982, Mike met his future wife, Judy Richardson, a fellow high school freshman. They were just friends at the time, and in 1984 Mike and his family moved yet again to Callaway, FL, where he graduated from Rutherford High School. Over the years Mike and Judy lost touch, but fate would bring them together again.

Mike lived in Callaway until 1992, when he moved to Azle, TX to be closer to his sister and parents, who had retired there in 1987. In 1994, Mike stopped in Columbus on his way to a Florida vacation, and he ran into Judy. They went on a date before he continued his trip, fell in love and he and Judy began dating long distance. On August 5, 1995 they were married in Columbus. Their daughter Alexis “Lexie” Nicole Howell was born on November 25, 2001, and the happy family lived in Columbus until they moved to Fort Worth, TX in the summer of 2012.

As a youth Mike excelled in baseball and bowling, a love he shared with his family. In his adult years, he, Phil and Michelle played on softball teams together, with Ann as their #1 fan and cheerleader. Mike was a devoted sports fan, proudly cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Mets. He was also a car enthusiast with a passion for American muscle cars and NASCAR. He enjoyed cruising the stockyards on the weekends in the 1972 Pontiac Le Mans he named Ms. Betty, proudly blasting his favorite 70s and 80s music.

Mike was a devoted family man, a friend to many, and loved by all who knew him. He is preceded in death by his mother Ann. He is survived by his loving wife Judy Howell; daughter Lexie Howell; father Phil Howell; sister Michelle Horton, and her husband Reagan; his nephew, Douglas Horton and his wife, Lindsay; his niece, Madeline Horton; his sister-in-law Pam Wright, and her husband, Michael; along with extended family members and many friends who will miss him dearly.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. with a Funeral Service at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 22, at Thompson’s Harveson & Cole Funeral Home, 4350 River Oaks Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas.  Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park, Fort Worth.