Thomas Howell

Thomas “Tom” Joseph Howell, 71, of Boise, ID, entered eternal life with his Savior on April 24, 2021. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 11am at Legacy Life Church in Meridian, ID.
Tom was born on January 1, 1950, in Boise, ID to Virgil and Velma Howell. The family grew up in Meridian before moving to Page, AZ where his father worked on the Glen Canyon Dam. After moving to Sweet Home, OR, Tom graduated from Sweet Home High School, class of 1968. He was married to Deborah Gunderson on May 3, 1975 and they had two beautiful daughters together. Tom spent much of his youth in the company of family and friends while also learning to play the piano and sing. This cultivated his well-known and enduring love of music. He was part of several musical groups to include New Dimensions, Children of the Son, and Faithful Men. The last several years he was involved in local community theater productions alongside his daughter Lauren. He enjoyed the thrill of stage performance; his last and most proud role cast as Claude Frollo in the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Always an adventurous spirit, Tom worked a vast array of jobs throughout his life: Baker’s Shoe Store, Youth/Music Pastor, Funeral Home Director, finally retiring as Ada County Deputy Coroner. Even then, he could not stay retired and was currently working as a Vice President of Finance/Controller for Episciences, Inc.
Family was everything to Tom, especially his grandsons. They were mentioned in nearly every conversation with friends and acquaintances, quickly followed by photo sharing. He was the first to arrive at any gathering and the last to depart. Saturdays were for yard sales, no matter what state he was in. Many of his trips to California to visit family always included a good early morning bargain hunt. He loved to travel, making several trips with close friends to Mexico, Cambodia, and Thailand.
Tom will always be remembered for his gregarious and outgoing ways. He could bring life to any party and become friends with anyone whom he crossed paths. His early departure from this earth leaves a huge void felt by so many. As he would often say to both the living and those that had passed, “It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later.”
He is survived by his daughters Cindy (David) Casey of Boise, ID and Lauren (Kerry) Ball of Caldwell, ID. Two much-adored grand-children, Cohen and Silas Casey; three much-loved brothers William “Bill” (Sharon) of Boise, ID, Michael “Miche” (Sherry) Howell of Vacaville, CA; and Charles “Charlie” (Bonnie), of Spokane, WA. Tom will also be sorely missed by his many beloved nieces, nephews, and their extended families: Carol Ann (Niece) and Breck Dahlin, Brian (Nephew) Dahlin, Tristian (Nephew) Dahlin, Jason (Nephew) Dahlin and Mike, Brandon, Thomas Dahlin. Debbie (Niece) Howell. Carrie (Niece) and Fred Sisneros. Chris (Nephew) and April Howell, Aaron (Nephew) and Kortney, Branson, Reagan Howell; Matthew (Nephew) Howell; Kaitlin (Niece) and Matt, Lincoln Cooley. Randy (Nephew) and Mardianne, Reese, Mackayla, Parker Howell. Desiree (Niece) and Greg, Tiffany, Taylor Wessel. Krista (Niece), Alyssa (Niece) Howell. Heath (Nephew), Iris (Niece); Ginger (Niece), Lance, Colton and Dylan Lyons.
Tom was preceded in his passing by Richard “Dick” (Brother) Howell, Virgil (Father) Howell, Norma (Sister-in-law) Howell, Travis (Nephew) Johnson and Velma (Mother) Howell.