A great man

Daniel Spencer Howells
Daniel Spencer Howells 1967 ~ 2009 Our beloved Daniel Spencer Howells died in a tragic car accident March 30, 2009, at the age of 41. Dan was born to Ann Clair Kingdon Howells and Spencer Felt Howells on October 19, 1967 in Salt Lake City, Utah. After graduating from Brighton High School he served honorably in the LDS New Zealand Christchurch mission. Upon his return Dan married the love of his life, Amy Erekson, in the Salt Lake Temple on June 29, 1989. Dan and Amy's adventure first took them from Salt Lake City to Israel for a work study opportunity. When they returned to Utah, Dan earned his bachelor's degree from Utah State University and they started their beautiful family. Later they moved to Arizona, where Dan earned his Master's degree from Northern Arizona University. A gospel scholar and gifted teacher, Dan taught seminary and institute courses in the LDS Church Education System for 17 years. He loved and inspired the youth that he taught and they loved him. After serving as bishop of the La Cholla Ward in Tucson, Arizona, Dan returned with his family to Herriman, Utah. Two and a half years ago they fulfilled their family dream and built their home in beautiful Peoa, Utah. Dan was an independent, creative thinker who relished tackling the seemingly impossible - he could figure out how to do anything. He was a believer, a dreamer, and a doer. Dan read widely and he loved the outdoors; he loved dry-fly fishing, backpacking, river rafting, riding horses, and spending time at the family cabin in Weber Canyon. Above all, Dan loved being a father to his six remarkable children. Every decision he made in life was for their benefit. He was and forever will be their hero. We will miss Dan's deep and rich baritone voice and hearty laugh that made us all so happy to be around him. He was as Christ-like as any person we ever knew - a wonderful man full of integrity, life and light. Dan was a passionately loyal and loving husband; a gentleman in every sense of the word; a man for all seasons; a man of God. Dan is survived by his wife, Amy; his children, Kathryn, Mary, Hannah, Spencer, Shadrach, and Caleb; his parents, Spencer and Ann Howells; siblings, Sarah (Layne) Jensen, Kathryn (Bob) Hart, Amy, Paul (Michelle); mother and father-in-law, Mardy and Allen Erekson; siblings-in law, Kristen (Brad) Mikesell, Kari (Rick) Wahlquist, Marielle (Scott) Nelson, Spencer (Carol) Erekson; grandmother, Ruth Howells, and a close-knit and loving extended family. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 3, at 12:00 noon at the Kamas Stake Center at 3038 North, State Road 32, Marion, Utah. Viewings will be held on Thursday evening, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the LDS Ward Chapel on 7784 South Highland Drive in Salt Lake City, Utah and on Friday morning from 10 to 11:45 a.m. at the Stake Center prior to services. Interment will follow in the Peoa Cemetery under the direction of Crandall Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dan Howells Children Trust at any Key Bank. This has been the cause of my sorrow this week.  Dan's oldest daughter has been on drill team with my daughter for the past two years, which is how I was able to get to know his wonderful wife, Amy. Although I didn't know Dan well, if he lived his life anything like Amy, he is indeed a great man and a man of God.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Howells family.