Thomas Michael Howell (Tom) passed away peacefully on March 9, 2017 at the age of 72 at his home in Addison, Texas due to complications related to melanoma. Tom was born on September 24, 1944 in Sacramento, California to Thomas Nutting Howell and Mary Elizabeth (Liz) Howell. A fourth-generation Northern Californian, Tom spent his childhood in Oroville, California, and later moved to Roseville, California, where he played baseball, football, and basketball at Roseville High School as a member of the class of 1962. After graduation, Tom continued his education at Sacramento State University, where he was a collegiate baseball pitcher and graduated with a B.A. in Physical Education and a minor in English. After earning his teaching credential, Tom taught English and coached baseball and football for many years at Del Oro High School in Loomis, California. Following his career in teaching, he lived in Citrus Heights, California and was an enthusiastic regular at Omaha Hi-Lo games at the Lucky Derby. In 2012, Tom relocated to Addison, Texas to be closer to his daughter, Kelli, and his granddaughters, Bridget and Charlotte. Following his move to Texas, he spent much of his time reading books, following the stock market, enjoying long walks around the neighborhood, playing Omaha at the WinStar on Saturdays, and attending as many North Texas LPGA tournaments as possible. A loving father and a devoted grandfather, Tom enjoyed golfing, watching the San Francisco Giants, reading the novels of John Sandford, eating mint chocolate chip ice cream, playing cards, encouraging sarcasm in children, challenging equivocations, and cheering on whichever team was playing against the San Francisco 49ers in a given week. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Liz Howell, and his niece Joanna Howell. Tom is survived by his daughter Kelli Howell Heinzerling, her husband Dan, and granddaughters Bridget and Charlotte, all of Addison, Texas; his brother, Dan Howell and his wife Jan, of Cary, NC; nephews Robbie, Tommy and Mike Howell, and extended family and dear friends. A private memorial service will be held this summer in Northern California. As a former high school English teacher, Tom was often asked how to encourage children to love reading. His consistent advice was to let children always choose the books that they want to read, not the books that you think they should read. He strongly believed that letting kids read whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted, was the key to cultivating a love of books. Accordingly, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that you take a child you love to the bookstore, and let that child choose some books or magazines that they would like to read… not the books that you think they should read. Arrangements are under the direction of: ARIA Cremation Service & Funeral Home 19310 Preston Road, Dallas, Texas 75252 214-306-6700