Our sincere sorrow to the Howell family in loosing a father, husband, grandfather. I too had the pleasure with working with him at the Lander Medical Clinic and have many good memories during his time there. He was a great physican to our family and will be truly
missed.


Our prayers are with you all in this time of grief. Mike, Joy, Britton, Tyler Van Heule

Well I don't know where to start. Me and Piper were best friends in elemetary school we often stayed at eachothers houses and went to the local swimming pool and pizza place.The first memories that come to mind are when Jim would make me and piper his awesome crapes in the morning for breakfast or his wonton soup for lunch,boy was that good. I just wanted to say that I am so sorry for what happened,there is one thing that I will always know and that is that you guys are truly blessed to have such a great father!!! WOW what a man!!! I love you Piper and I'm sorry it's been so long sence we've spoken.Hang in there girl,your father will always be right by your side! Much love and deepest sympathy to your whole family!! I am planning on being there. My # is 307-851-5241if you need anything or just want to talk don't hesitate to call.

I have known Dr. Howell since i was in Jr. high when my mom started to work at the Lander clinic. He was helping me with my wieght problems and was always there for me to help me through the hard times of weight loss. I had to oppertunity to get to know his daughter Piper in jr. high and high school. THe day that i heard the news about Dr. Howell i was working and my heart stopped. The one person that was a good person and a great doctor and my mentor was gone. It was because of him, that when i got out of high school that i went to be a aircraft mechanic. He showed me in fields trips that flying was more then flying. It is like owning a very expensive sports car. You have to put time into everything and try your hardest. To all his family my heart and prayers go out to you in your time of loss.

From Terry Cammon:

I am given the title of running DOC, a small O&G company located in Golden, CO.

In late 2005, and after spending and wasting a lot of money on a “professional” mapper of oil and gas leases, we were referred to Jim and Maureen as “slightly eccentric, but terribly brilliant” tandem who, if the problems could be solved, Jim and Maureen were the solution.

I asked what their backgrounds were and learned that Jim was a genius looking for a new challenge and Maureen was a skilled attorney. Also, if I should harm myself, Jim was a retired doctor. Now, how could we lose?

As Cathy, my wife and land manager, has related, Jim and Maureen’s effort resulted in successfully and confidently paying the right lessors for oil and gas leases. For those not in the industry, when one gets East of the Mississippi, the Western States system of Township/Ranges/Sections disappears into “meets and bounds”. Add 1700 “French Surveys” and USA Revolutionary War “military donations” into the mix, and there is a lot of legal confusion over property boundaries.

An oil and gas company cannot proceed, until the correct leaseholders can be identified. Jim’s total concentration on the problems released uncanny approaches to solving boundary issues which, prior to his arrival, could not be solved. His work was pretty remarkable, given that the problems had existed for +250 years! Yet, with so much intelligence, there was no hubris. Jim was the most reserved, and modest of anyone with whom I have worked. I have always claimed and remarked that the most brilliant and gifted humans are more than willing to share their knowledge, since there is no threat to them. He was the consummate teacher, engineer, analyst, doctor, and story teller.

Jim and Maureen's relationship morphed from business acquaintances to friends; sharing stories, laughter, and tears over dinners. I only wish we all had “one more dinner” to share with Jim and enjoy his wit and uncanny cleverness. I know he is now working on his next mission.

I actually feel somewhat insecure about writing this tribute. I know that Jim would encourage me to “go ahead-just give it a try.” So here goes.
Jim and Maureen worked closely with us on a very difficult oil and gas land/mapping project from 2006-2008. They really made an incredible team and we could not have done this project without them!! The more difficult, the more challenged Jim became. He worked tirelessly getting oddly shaped leases into a plat map—even correcting some of the county maps along the way. He brilliantly developed a database for our small company to manage these leases. The entire time I was encouraged along and taught by Jim so that eventually I could take over and do this myself. Jim is the best teacher I think I have ever had. I only hope I will be able to take over where he left off.
The project was very intense but at the end of the day we all found time to go out. These were some of the most fun evenings I have had in recent history as they were full of stories and huge amounts of laughter. We have 4 children—they have 6. That alone filled many nights!! Then we had the pleasure and amazement to hear about all of the career choices both Jim and Maureen have had as they tried to decide what it was they wanted to do when they grew up!! Puts the rest of us to shame!!! I used to think I was busy. Jim’s humor, compassion and delight in fellow humans always came through, not only in Jim’s stories, but in how he reacted to ours. These few days without Jim on this earth have filled me with a sense of loss and emptiness. I know that he is up there flying and is smiling down on all of us. Now if only he could help me with the Colorado database!!! Don’t worry Jim—I took notes whenever possible!
One thing to note was that whenever Jim would be in our office he usually appeared close to the lunch hour. By design?? Maybe—because to it turns out that Jim loved to eat our family style lunches in the back of our office. We’d put out a spread of whatever we had. Jim would happily grab meat, cheese—Cheetos—whatever. He was very thin so we loved to feed him!! You never know what will mean something, but I was glad to be a part of that!!
I am thrilled to finally meet these 6 kids I have heard so much about—I only wish the circumstances could be better.
The last time we went out to dinner with Jim and Maureen we met at Central One, Jim & Maureen’s favorite and infamous Greek restaurant. The OUZO flowed a bit too easily as we chatted the evening away. We (slightly less intoxicated) were the lucky ones to drive our slightly more drunk friends home. Had to drink a pot of coffee first, but all got home safe and sound. I only wish that Jim’s promise to “repay the favor” could have come true. By the way—Jim stays SMART even after drinking a bit too much.
Depth of feeling and respect comes through in each and every one of the stories posted so far. I am so glad to be among the friends that have been touched by Jim Howell. He was a wonderful, caring, even tempered, gifted man. I will never forget him and my life is better to have met him. I am so sorry for your loss Maureen, Gabe, Judd, Lucas, Luke, Gwen and Piper. Your lives have been enriched in ways you will continue to feel for many years to come. What a gift he was!! My husband Terry and I will always be here to help and support you in your time of need.

Dr Howell was our family doctor for many years and we often talked about flying and the airplane he seemed to be always building. A great listener, calm, caring... I didn't know he studied medicine as his second career choice. As I helped several friends through their children's births and also sat with other friends who were seriously ill and near death, Dr Howell seemed to be the doctor who attended both the transitions in and out of life in our community. At births, he was always delighted to announce "Your baby is perfect" with a happy smile. At the bedside of the dying, he was kind, compassionate, patient and concerned about making the person as comfortable as possible to the end. He made time for all of us and put us at ease with our worries. I am ever grateful for his care and thankful for the time he and his family gave to Lander.

all of you family and friends of jim already know what a great guy Jim was ... but i'll say it again ... the world is missing out on something good with him not being here.

i got my first taste of jim's amazing intelligence and awesome humor at the WSTS when i learned about hair colics and simian creases and other obscure facts that he seemed to pull out of his doctors bag of smart stuff. he was always interested in not only his profession but also his patients. that is why they loved him so much ... and because he took time for them. Luke, you and Ryan would never have grown up into the fellows you are today without his many conversations and advice. There were times i wondered just what he was telling you boys!! i loved working with jim at LMC and was sad for Lander when he and maureen moved to Denver ... but knew he would be on some unique adventure ... and now he's on the best one yet. regards, ruthie z

Hello to you. I am not sure if you remember me well but I was really good friends with Piper growing up. When I was 4 up til I was about 9 I would have sleepovers with Piper. I always loved how comfortable Dr. Howell made me feel. Like I was welcome. The funniest thing I remember is after one sleepover with Piper we had doughnuts for breakfast. (I absolutely LOVE doughnuts!!!) I had never gotten to eat them for breakfast before. I was so thrilled with that and obviously it has stuck with me all these years. I also saw Dr. Howell about a year ago at the Hitching Rack in Lander when I was there with my family. He knew my mom quite well because my mom worked closely with him at times because she is a nurse. When he saw me he knew who I was but told me how much I'd changed. I told him I had gotten my degree in Kinesiology and Health Promotion and that I was working as a Personal Trainer as well as at a hospital. He told me it showed because I looked really good. That meant so much to me! It was the best compliment for him to remember me but to have noticed how I'd changed. In all these years his kindness had not changed. I always liked his calm voice. I always remember him smiling. He in my mind growing up was a genius. He was a doctor and he built and flew his own plane. I admired him very very much. I am overwhelmed and rather shocked by the news of his passing. As a christian woman I believe he is in heaven waiting for the rest of us, flying a kick ass plane and being admired by God himself for all of the lives he touched. I will miss him. I send my sympathies to you all and I am thinking of you and praying for you. This cannot be an easy time. But I am thankful that there is a website in his honor to fondly remember him and keep him forever in our hearts!!

With deepest sympathy
Stefani M. Pitt

I remember Jim's sense of fun. No matter what I did with Jim or what he was doing, he was having fun. When we studied a martial art called Aikido for a couple of years we would pin each other to the mat grunting and groaning. One of us would say, "You gotta try this, it really hurts!"

It is difficult for Laura and I to express what Jim meant to us. I'll just say that Jim made our lives better just because he was who he was.

Love,
The Normans

I met Dr. Howell as a teacher at the State School. It was my first year-and I was "overwhelmed" to say the least! I spent a lot of day at the Health Care Center with the children who lived there. Jim offered me advice from day 1. It was as if he could sense my insecurity. When I was set to leave the job after day 1-he's the guy who gave me confidence and good sound advice. He spent hours explaining not just the medical issues-but how that would impact the child. He never got caught up in the politics-he cared about the "person". He never got upset-was always a calming influence for everyone. He astounded me with his intelligence, caring and respect for all things human! When the sensory teachers were trying something new-he always showed up and stayed to help all of us through. At least 2 times weekly, Jim would show up at the sensory room after the kids left with a sack of cookies and pop for all-then he would calm us, talk about life, work and what's really important. I sincerely believe none of us would have made it without Jim's constant and steadfast support. That year we had an unfortunate series of events leading to 7 funerals at our sensory stim. room. We were struggling to talk, much less cope as time went on. Jim was at every funeral and would step up and talk when we just couldn't do it. Quite simply, he was the most caring professional I had ever met-nevermind he was a fantastic and caring person!!!. Jim was a super individual. My heart goes out to all his family.

Our youngest son, Nathan, was forever falling off of or into something when he was five and six. During those two years he had to have stitches four times. After the first fall we went to see Dr. Howell for stitches. While it wasn't a fun experience it wasn't as bad as Nate thought it was going to be. When the second fall happened...he looked up at me ...and said " i bet we have to go to the stitch doctor -huh. So Dr. Howell was no longer doctor Howell...he became"stitch doctor" We have missed him since he left and now those of us who appreciated his kind and caring ways...will miss him all the more.

I was a Special Ed. teacher at WSTS when Dr. Howell worked there. Several of my students had epilepsy and their seizures could be very debilitating. Jim's knowelge of seizures and the medications that could control them contributed greatly to the quality of their lives. I was very grateful to him for that.

I remember how pleasant he always was. Even when he broke his toe in Ai kido roll, and he just taped it to the next one as those doctors often do with the rest of us, and went right back to practice. He was an inspiration to us all, to make the best of life, and become all that you can with a constant eye toward the needs of others.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Dr Howell was and amazing, careing human being and an exceptional physican. Anyone lucky enough to have Dr. Howell for there physican was very blessed. I met Dr. Howell when I went to work for WSTS in 1989 and Maureen Donohue was the superintendant. When Dr. Howell moved to the Clinic in town we were all blessed. He was a very warm and intelligent man. My Sincere Condolences to You ALL! Nancy

Of all of the amazing friends that have blessed my life, Jim Howell was one of the most remarkable. Sadly, I am used to missing him because we have all been so busy that we could not seem to get together as we always promised we would--such a profound teaching about the certainty of the uncertainty of the time of death, I vow to remember it.

(Gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha!)

Thinking of Jim’s life and meditating on all the wonderful stories about him gives me hope for the human race: Look at all he was and all he accomplished in his way-too-short lifetime, good grief, he even managed to finish the plane!

While Central One will never be the same, Jeff and I will drink a toast of ouzo to our remarkable friend Jim, now and often. We will never forget him and I will always strive to live up to the example of his eclectic, generous and learned life and practice.

I wish the Howell/Rogers family all the peace and healing possible, I know they are already blessed with many years of great memories and stories.

Christina, L.Ac.

PS (Piper, If I ever decide to jump out of a perfectly good plane, I will take the counsel of your father’s advice along with me. Thanks for sharing!)