Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Hughes, Howell Thomas

Age 100

HUGHES, Howell Thomas Howell Thomas Hughes died October 20th, three months short of his 101st birthday, at Moran Vista Senior Living, Spokane.

He was born January 18, 1913, in Chicago and lived in that city and two of its suburbs, La Grange and Naperville, 60 years before retiring and moving to Spokane in 1975 to be close to his sons and grandchildren.

He married Gwenith Davies of Wild Rose, WI, in 1936 and the couple celebrated 69 years together before Gwenith died in 2006.

After high school Howell’s first employment during the early years of the Depression was with Chicago’s First Continental Bank.

From the bank he was hired by Brinks, the Money Movers, for whom he managed the silver vault in the Chicago office, retiring after 35 years.

Reared as a child in a Welsh enclave in Chicago, Howell spoke Welsh before English and remained fluent in that language throughout his life.

He took considerable pride in his Welsh heritage and like virtually all Welshmen, loved singing.

For his entire life his bass voice found a home in many church choirs.

Howell regarded himself as a born again Christian and was a member of various Presbyterian churches over the years.

Howell is survived by two sons, Roger of Spokane and Douglas of Moscow, ID, a daughter, Diane also of Moscow, and two grand-children, Lisa of Wellesley, MA, and Douglas, Jr. of Nashville, TN.

A Graveside Service will be held at 1 PM, Friday, October 25th at Fairmount Memorial Park, West 5200 Wellesley.

On Saturday a Memorial Service will start at 2 PM, October 26th, at the Northwood Presbyterian Church, 6721 North Monroe.

Please visit Howell’s online memorial at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com