Vernon C. Howell

Vernon Carl Howell was born in Ashland Kansas on February 24, 1927, to Virgil D. and Nellie Carlson Howell. He attended Sitka and Ashland schools living at both of their homes on Main Street and the farm southeast of Ashland. As a boy, Vernon loved raising pigeons, riding his beloved horse with his ever-present dog. Vernon played football and basketball for Ashland and graduated from Ashland High School in 1945. His mother, Nellie, walked across the graduation stage accepting his diploma, due to him entering the Navy before graduation (along with 3 classmates), at the end of World War II. Vernon spent 1.5 years in the navy before being Honorably discharged. Vernon spent several months stationed on Wake Island in the South Pacific, soon after Wake Island was liberated from Japanese occupation. After discharge from the Navy, Vernon attended Kansas State University for 2 years then returned to Ashland Kansas for a 5-year period to farm and ranch. On August 11, 1951, Vernon married Ashland resident, Gloria Ruth Hubbard, they resided on the Dakin Ranch, northeast of Ashland. After a couple of years, they moved to Manhattan Kansas, where Vernon earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology from Kansas State University in 1955.

After graduating from Kansas State, Vernon accepted a job as a geologist for Cities Service Oil Company. During his 9 years with Cities Service, they lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Bismarck, North Dakota, Billings, Montana; Bartlesville, Oklahoma, San Antonio, Texas; and Liberal Kansas. Vernon and Gloria were blessed with three children Gail, Andy and Tim. In 1964, they returned to the Ashland area where Vernon was engaged in farming, ran cattle, and worked part time in geological consulting. Vernon led a very active life in the Ashland community, serving on numerous boards and committees. He loved sports, and coached 5th and 6th grade basketball clubs for several years. Vern kept football stats for Larry Rich for decades. Vern was also a timer for high school and junior high track meets throughout the years.

Vernon and Gloria loved to travel, go fly fish in the Colorado mountains, and taking dozens of scuba and snorkeling trips around the world. Vernon also loved to snow ski, and play town-team basketball, staying active in skiing, scuba diving, and basketball until the age of 79. Being proud supporters of K-State athletics, Vern and Gloria had season tickets for K-State football for several decades. Vern loved talking sports with the high school athletes he supported, even to the age of 98!

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Nellie; his sisters, Doris and Helen; his brother, Don; and his beloved wife, Gloria. He is survived by his daughter, Gail; sons Andy and Tim; 5 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Ashland Public Library, PO Box 397 Ashland, KS 67831.

Funeral service were held at 11:00AM Tuesday April 22, 2025, at the Ashland Bible Church, with Rev. Galen Crippen officiating, with burial at the highland cemetery, the Howell family has entrust Wilkinson Funeral Service of Ashland, with their arrangements.