Fred passed away peacefully at home on July 21, 2015. He was born in Verden, Oklahoma on October 14, 1926 to John and Sarah Howell. He had one brother John Ed and three sisters Anna Mae, Orpha, and Beth.
Upon graduating high school in 1946 he was drafted into the Army. In August of 1947 he married his childhood sweetheart, Velma Wiley in Anadarko, Oklahoma. Shortly after that, they moved to Payette, Idaho where they had a daughter, Debra, and a son, Keith. In 1957 the Howell family moved to Oakdale, CA and Fred worked as a livestock auctioneer at several sale yards in the area. In 1979, he purchased the Oakdale Livestock Auction Yard with his son Keith Howell and business partner Edward Nunes.
Over the years, all of Fred’s children and grandchildren worked at the auction yard. Fred enjoyed the ranch life: riding horses and raising cattle. In 2002, he retired to spend time with his loving wife and family. He will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his wife Velma, daughter Debra (William) Rocha, son Keith Howell, grandchildren Tara (Stephen) Cardoza, Melissa Appel, Travis (Jenna) Howell and five great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bristol Hospice or the charity of your choice.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
July 29, 2015