Tom Howell

HOWELL, TomAge 62. A furniture manufacturer, consultant and advisor to the furniture industry, died on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at Vanderbilt Hospital from complications associated with Leukemia. The son of Joseph T. and Carroll Cole Howell, Mr. Howell was born in Nashville in 1947, graduated from Montgomery Bell Academy in 1965, Williams College in 1969 and Stanford Business School in 1974. Mr. Howell served in the US Navy as a lieutenant for two years, between college and business school. Tom Howell started his business career on the West Coast, working for the recording division of CBS in the Bay Area. In the mid 1970s, he returned to Nashville and founded Tennessee Hardwood, a furniture manufacturing company located in Woodbury, TN, which produced high quality workbenches, tables and specialty craft items. Increasing competition from Asia caused Mr. Howell to close the business in the mid 1980s, but he continued to be active in the furniture industry as a consultant and advisor to other companies located mainly in North Carolina and Mississippi. In 1987, he married Kathy Patin, originally from New Orleans. Mr. Howell was an avid jogger and physical fitness enthusiast, and loved animals and nature. He was known for his sharp intellect, sense of humor, and story telling. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Kathy Howell; stepson, Cameron Weil of Nashville, and his brother, Joe Howell of Washington, DC. A Memorial service will be held at Christ Church Cathedral, 2 p.m. Saturday, November 21, 2009. Visitation following service in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, or Walden's Puddle Wildlife Rehab Center. CRAWFORD MORTUARY & CREMATORY, (615) 254-8200; Guestbook at www.crawfordservices.com