Gary "Wayne" Howell

Sergeant First Class, Ret., Gary Lawayne Howell, former Chief of Police of Hornbeck, LA, also known to family and friends as "Wayne", "Sarge", "Chief", age 79, of Dauphin Island, Alabama passed away March 10, 2022 of natural causes. He was born September 7, 1942 in Mobile, Alabama to Harvey Howell and Ethel Rouse both preceding him in death.

April 22, 1961, he married Claudette Howell, whom he spent 58 years with until her passing. Together they had three children, Bruce Howell, Philip Howell, and Patricia Howell.

In 1960, he joined the National Guard and later transitioned into the Army. There he held several different assignments and posts. He was a Korean War Veteran. He retired from the military in 1980 and then started several businesses. He was a gunsmith and owned his own shop as well as a game room, cafe, gas station, and bait business.

In Hornbeck, Louisiana, he was the Chief of Police for 9 years. He served his community with diligence and pride. He worked all hours and was available to everyone day and night. He responded to all calls big and small. During this time, he was also Chief of the volunteer fire department.

Finally, he moved back home to Dauphin Island and began his bait business. He loved this island, but most of all he loved being on the water. He loved meeting all the customers, telling them stories, and finding the bait no one could get.

He is also remembered by the numerous projects he has built such as constructing running cars out of nothing and building Mardi Gras and Christmas floats for the kids on Dauphin Island.

He was a hard worker who could fix anything. He may have been the only one that could have operated it, but it would work. He was "jack of all trades master of none".

He was also a lifelong member of the Masonic Lodge.

Those who are left to carry on his stories, legacy, and joy of life include his children, Bruce and Carol Howell of Vidor, TX, Philip and Katrina Howell, of Leesville, LA, and Patricia Howell of Dauphin Island; grandchildren, Lacey and Chance Elliot of Kerrville, TX, Jacob Howell and Amber Trejo of Orange, TX, Lacey Howell of Leesville, LA, Kelly and Steven Bishop of Anacoco, LA, Caitlin and Skylar Deon of Leesville, LA, Chloe and Chad Jarman of Dauphin Island, AL, Soliel Wagner of Mobile, AL, and Claire Wagner of Dauphin Island; great- grandchildren, Brian Elliot, Gage Elliot, Parker Howell, Jonah Howell, Bryar Bishop, Cole Bishop, Grace Deon, Mary Cait Deon, Luke Jarman and Camille Jarman.

Visitation will be at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home on Saturday, March 18, 2022 from 8:30am until the 10:00am graveside service in Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers are Bruce Howell, Philip Howell, Chad Jarman, Mike Nugyen, Steven Bishop, and Skylar Deon.

In lieu of flowers, share your memories and stories of him with others and each other. Keep his memory alive.