Odell Howard

Odell John Howard, 80, of Idaho Falls, passed away July 11, 2012, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. He was born April 24, 1932, in Malad, Idaho, to William Oliver Howard and Mildred Jones Howard. He grew up in Malad and graduated from Malad High School. Odell served in the US Air Force for 23 years and spent 20 years in civil service for the US Navy. On November 25, 1953 he married Rotha Jean Mercer in Blackwell, Oklahoma. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple in 1969. Odell was the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Director for the US Navy and was Idaho State Commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a High Priest and active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in numerous positions. He loved serving in the US Air Force. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and being with his family . Odell is survived by his wife, Rotha of Idaho Falls, ID; Daughter, Pamela Marie (Gary) Grant of Richland, WA; Daughter, Darla Jean (Terry) Miller of Idaho Falls, ID; Son, William Odell (Susan) Howard of Tooele, UT; Daughter, Tandy Lea (David) Bales of Clifton Park, NY; Brother, Brent (Bonnie) Howard of Malad, ID; Brother, Mark (Debbie) Howard of Cedar Hills, UT; Sister, Nelda (Robert) Black of San Diego, CA; 15 Grandchildren and 17 Great Grandchildren He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Vicki Lea Howard. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 16, 2012, at the Idaho Falls LDS Brentwood Ward, 2040 Brentwood Drive, with Bishop Clay Murdoch officiating. The family will visit with friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue, and Monday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in the Taylor Cemetery with Military Rites performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and the Idaho Honor Guard.