Charlie Watts Howell, 80, of Darrouzett, Texas, passed away Saturday, August 12, 2023 in Darrouzett.  A celebration of Charlie's life will be held Saturday, September 2 at noon in Darrouzett, Texas at the Senior Citizens Pavilion following a private graveside service. The family is providing meat and asks that guests bring a side dish for a potluck lunch.

Charlie Watts Howell Sr. was born May 17, 1943 in San Angelo, Texas, to Dr. John Franklin Howell and his wife Mary Louise Watts Howell who were originally from the Mississippi Delta.  Charlie was a later-in-life surprise to his parents, who had two older children, Marguerite (Rita) and Dr. John Franklin (Frank) who were 15 and 10 years older.  He was an ornery, hyperactive boy whose exploits with his group of friends are stuff of legend in his hometown of Sonora, Texas.

He graduated from Sonora High School in 1961 and decided to attend the University of Mississippi, following in his father's footsteps.  He left Ole Miss after one year and graduated Texas Tech University, where he made lifelong friends and became a diehard fan of the Red Raiders.

After graduating from Texas Tech with a degree in Wildlife Biology, he moved to Perryton, Texas, where he worked at Perryton Feeders, then co-owned Plains Swine Breeders.  This was one of the earliest production hog farms in the Panhandle.  He married his hometown sweetheart, Carol Hopf, and they had two children, Franklyn (Frankie) and Charlie Jr., (Chuck), who both grew up in Perryton.

After selling the business in the mid-eighties, he managed wildlife programs for his sister's ranch, and worked as a pumper for Perryton Service.  He got reacquainted with Perryton-raised Mollie Luanna Holloway, who was one of his Texas Tech classmates.  She remembered that Charlie had gathered an incredible collection of animal specimens, and he remembered that she busted the bell curve in the class.  They dated for 8 years before marrying in September, 1994.

Charlie and Mollie had a great life together.  They raised registered Paint Horses and had the National Champion Heading and Heeling Horse in 1998, Otoe's Heartatack; and the World Champion Team Roping Horse, Ole Pink Seat in 2004. Charlie also ran a cow-and-calf operation.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Mollie; brother Frank of Amarillo; son Chuck (Jessica) of Amarillo; daughter Franklyn and her fiancé Jeff McVey of Lancaster, Texas; stepdaughter Amy (Jason) Hancock of Nashville, TN; and grandchildren Riley, Jackson, and Baron Howell and Mollie Hancock; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister and brother-in-law Jack M. and Rita Allen, and many dearly-loved bird dogs and horses.

Charlie was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Darrouzett.