Larry William Howell

Larry William Howell, 76, of Pampa, passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026 in Pampa.

A celebration of Larry’s life will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, March 6, 2026 at Pikes Peak National Cemetery, 10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80925. Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

Larry was born on November 24, 1949 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Jack Howell and Pat O’Brien Howell. After graduating high school, Larry enlisted in the United States Navy. He proudly served his country for several years before receiving an honorable discharge. Larry was a free spirit, living all over the country and briefly in Costa Rica before moving to Pampa in 2022. He met Melody Babbitt in 2005 and told her she looked like a challenge. They’ve been together ever since.

Larry worked in construction for most of his life. He liked to say he spent time in supermax at the Canyon City Prison to describe the time he spent building and welding the prison. He traveled to several different states for work, but one thing was always apparent, Larry was a hard worker. His work ethic was unmatched, and he took great pride in a job well done.

Larry was a gifted musician; he could play the guitar and had a beautiful voice. He enjoyed playing at the Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center. Larry also enjoyed drawing and woodworking. He was incredibly handy and could fix almost anything. He appreciated classic cars and Native American culture. Larry loved his motorcycles and rode from one side of the United States to the other, twice. He was able to clear his mind and feel true freedom while riding.

Larry was an inventor, producing two notable products, the Howell Mini-Bar Rack used to help rescuers while repelling down the mountain side and a new kind of construction materials that were cheaper to produce and stronger than concrete.

Larry was the founder of the Southern Colorado High Angle Rescue Team. He found purpose while volunteering with several search and rescue teams all over Colorado. He enjoyed hunting and sharpening his survival skills. Those skills served him well during his time as a volunteer.

Larry was one heck of a conversationalist and storyteller. He could spin a yarn with only a few embellishments. His stories, ornery personality, and free spirit will be missed by his family and friends.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Pat Howell; two sons, Bobby Howell and AJ Howell; three brothers, Thomas Patrick Howell, Patrick Shaun Howell, and Jackie Dale Howell; and one sister, Kathleen Howell.

He is survived by his wife, Melody, of the home; four children, Shaun Howell and wife Regina of Grand Junction, Colorado and Amber Dawn Howell-Downing and husband Jordan of Denver, Colorado, Brendan Kelleher of Washington, DC, and Jordan Kelleher and wife Kalin of Alamosa, Colorado; two sisters, Colleen Black and Maureen Larimore both of Del Norte, Colorado; grandchildren, Kyle Howell, Anthony Howell, Shelby Howell, Caitlin Howell, Gabriel Howell, Tommy Pat Howell, Tyler Ortega Howell, Aaliyah Howell, Justin Howell, Carter Howell, KJ Kelleher, Sadie Kelleher, Sophia Roybal, and Matthew Roybal; and seven great-grandchild, Ronan, Serenity, Lily, Logan, Scarlet, Lucy, and Kayde.