Kenneth William “Ken” Howell
June 23, 1947 – August 31, 2024
Ken Howell passed away peacefully at his Rohnert Park home on August 31, 2024, surrounded by his loving family after a one-year fight with cancer. Ken was born on June 23, 1947, in San Francisco and later relocated to Rohnert Park in the 1970s. Ken met his wife Sharon (Martinelli) Howell at a dance when they were teenagers, and they spent 60 wonderful years together.
He served 4 years in the US Navy during the Vietnam era, much of that time at sea on the destroyer USS Twining. After his honorable discharge, he became a journeyman painter in San Francisco, braving rickety scaffolding as he painted tall buildings high up in the air. He retired after 30 years of service to the East Bay Municipal Utilities District as a journeyman painter.
Ken was a lifelong fan of the Giants and 49ers but had a love for all sports. He passed this love to his three daughters, Cynthia (James) Clay, Suzanne (Brian) Burke, and Sandra Burge as he coached their youth softball teams for many years, even becoming the president of the softball league. He became well known in the Rohnert Park girls’ softball scene in the 1980s, winning a state championship that brought his team to nationals. An avid golfer, he played the south Foxtail golf course three days a week, often 36 holes a day until just several months ago. He scored a hole in one on Foxtail’s 7th hole in August 2022.
Ken didn’t let his diagnosis stop him. His family meant more to him than anything and he was determined to spend quality time with them no matter what. His final round of golf was 18 holes with his daughter less than a month before the lord called him home.
Ken is survived by his wife, his three daughters, grandchildren Ryan, Allison, Breanah, Zack, Cody, Trevor, Michael and Joey, numerous great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. His celebration of life will be at Eggen & Lance Chapel, 1540 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa on Saturday September 21 at 11:00am.
