Lathol Gordon Howell

Lathol Gordon Howell, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great- grandfather, passed away peacefully in his home on December 15, 2022, at the age of 87.

Lathol was born on April 5, 1935, in his grandmother’s home in Princeton, Idaho to parents Gordon and Loretta (Buhl) Howell. His family moved to Seattle in 1943 and then to the Kettle Falls area in 1945. When he was 18 years old, he began working for the railroad. In his early 20’s, he briefly moved back to Idaho and worked for the Potlatch Lumber Company. He returned to Kettle Falls where he met his loving wife, Darlene Schepman. They were married on August 27, 1957, and raised their three children, Chris, Rick, and Lori in Kettle Falls. He worked for a lumber mill in Colville and logged with his stepfather, Arthur, before getting a job at the Boise Cascade Plywood Mill when it opened in 1967. Lathol worked at Boise for 30 years before retiring in 1997.

Lathol was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed staying active. He loved hunting, fishing, cutting wood, car races, going on drives, the Zags and spending time with his family. Some of his favorite memories were taking fishing trips to Canada and Alaska, multiple road trips to Yellowstone National Park and the annual trip to the Rimrock Unit in the Naches area for elk camp that was shared with many family and friends over the years. Lathol was a hardworking and dedicated family man. He spent countless hours supporting his children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren at their various sporting events and activities.

Lathol is survived by his wife of 65 years, Darlene; sons, Chris (Mary) and Rick (Bonnie); daughter, Lori ( Jim); grandchildren, Justin, Nick, Tatum, Brad, Jamie and Cody, and seven great- grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father, Gordon; mother, Loretta; stepfather, Arthur; and grandchildren, Amber Howell and C. J. McCombs. At Lathol’s request, no funeral or services will be held.