James Darrel Howard, 75, of Fruita, Colo., passed away Thursday Dec. 12, 2013, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, Colo.
Darrel was born Jan. 21, 1938, in Altha, Fla., a son of Robert Jackson Howard and Dovie Lee (Rooks) Howard. He moved to Rangely with his parents in the summer of 1948. He attended Rangely schools and was graduated from Rangely High School in 1956.
On June 13, 1959, he married Patricia Kilduff, and they had two children, David and Teresa.
He was employed with Chevron USA, Inc., for 33 years, having retired in 1992. He then sold real estate with Gaumer Realty in Rangely for several years. He moved to Vernal, Utah, in 2005, and then, in 2012, he moved to Fruita.
Mr. Howard is survived by: his son, David (Karen) Howard of Fruita; a daughter, Teresa (Brad) Laney of Vernal; grandchildren Ashely and Brittany Howard of Evanston, Wyo., Jared (Gwen) Laney of Logan, Utah and Josh (Stevie) Laney and Jordyn Laney of Vernal; great-grandsons, Trapper and Cooper Howard of Evanston; one sister, Frances (Fred) Green of Rangely and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Darrel was preceded in death by: both of his parents; his wife of 47 years, Patricia; a brother, Robert, Jr.; and three sisters, Celestia, Mildred and Glennis.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday Dec. 17, 2013, at the Rangely Ward LDS Chapel in Rangely, followed by interment at Highland Cemetery in Meeker, Colo.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.