Lawrence James Howe

Lawrence James Howe, 92, loving husband of the late Ellen Alberdiana Galloway-Howe, passed away peacefully at his daughter's home on June 19, 2011 in Othello, Washington.

Lawrence was born on April 16, 1919 in Keating, Oregon to Robert Ernest Howe and Arvada Vonier-Howe. He was the sixth of eight children. He graduated from Vale High School in Oregon in 1938. He met Ellen at Bully Creek, near Vale, Oregon, and they were later married on October 16, 1940 in Weiser, Idaho. They cherished 63 years together. 

Lawrence went to work for the United State Bureau of Reclamation as a ditch rider in 1942. He was drafted into World War II and served in Japan and the Philippines until he was honorably discharged at the end of the war. Upon his return, the family moved with the Bureau several times in Oregon, Idaho and Washington. In 1960, he became watermaster and worked in that capacity until his retirement in 1975. 

In retirement, Lawrence and Ellen mainly lived in Emmett, Idaho. In 2001, they moved to Othello, Washington to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Ellen passed away in 2004, and Lawrence has greatly missed her.

Lawrence was gifted at overhauling motors and fixing items like chairs, washing machines, farm equipment, cars, sewing machines and lawnmowers. In fact, he used "handyman" as his CB name during his days with the Bureau. His hobbies included deep sea fishing and tinkering with mechanical things. Lawrence's loves were his wife, Ellen, his family and his friends. 

He is survived by his three children, Vivian Ewing (the late Bill Ewing) of Othello, Irvin Howe (Camille) of Quincy, and Rita Wilson-Anderson (Bill Anderson) of Othello; and eight grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at the 7th Avenue Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Pioneer Memorial Gardens in Moses Lake, Washington.