Thomas Edward Howerton

Pocatello- Thomas Edward Howerton, 74, passed away on Sunday, July 15, 2012 at his home, surrounded by his family, in Pocatello, Idaho.

He was the beloved son of Pierce Raymond and Hattie Uretta (Squire) Howerton. He was born in Boise, Idaho on April 23, 1938. He had 3 brothers and 2 sisters: Harry, Jean, Raymond, Betty and Larry.

He lived in Boise during his grade school years, moved to Kuna, Idaho where he attended Jr. High and High School. He lived on a farm with cattle, horses and crops.

He played baseball, football and basketball and loved to trick ride on horses.

He met the love of his life Vonda Lee Birt in High School. They were married on June 8, 1956 in Winnemucca, Nevada.

He worked various farm jobs, delivered milk from the dairy farmers, made pizza at Quinn's Pizzaria in Boise. He then moved to Pocatello in 1957 with his wife and first born son Ricky and was employed as a laborer and foreman at West Vaco later known as FMC for 38 years.

Tom and Vonda had 6 children all of which were their pride and joy: Ricky, Vicky, Terry, Randy, Rodney and Tracy.

He enjoyed coaching his sons in baseball, taking his daughters to daddy daughter dates and watching the many sports and activities that his family was involved in.

He so enjoyed spending time with family and friends, camping, fishing and hunting. He made it a family tradition to travel to the Boise area to visit his family members, and go camping at Island Park in the Coffee Pot camp grounds to float the river, fish and enjoy the best fried fish from the catch of the day having been prepared by his loving wife.

Tom enjoyed traveling in his motorhome with his wife and puppy, Shelby to Arizona, Oregon and numerous other states.

One of his many hobbies included making wood projects such as: rubber band guns, bug catchers, holiday decorations, clocks and lamps made with knotty wood, birdhouses, canoes, butterflies and many other things.

He loved gardening. He planted peppers,cucumbers and tomatoes, which were considered by his family to be the best tomatoes in town.

He loved the companionship of his dogs, Shelby,Laci, Miley and many other pets.

Tom is survived by his wife,Vonda: Five children, Vicky (Mark) Bailey; Randy Howerton; Rod (Tina) Howerton all of Pocatello, Idaho, Terry (Mike) Hammans of Fairbanks, Alaska; Tracy (Mark) Guardipee of Clovis, New Mexico. Two brothers: Raymond (Fay) Howerton of Lake Havasu, Arizona; Larry (DaraLee) Howerton of Boise, Idaho; One sister Betty (Gary) Morrill of Taylorsville, Utah; Two brothers-in-law, Bob Birt of Sweet Home, Oregon; Albert (Melinda) Birt of Nampa, Idaho; One sister-in-law, Harriette Birt of Nampa, Idaho; 31 Grandchildren, 20 Great Grandchildren with 3 more on the way. Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and many Nieces and Nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, one sister, a son, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Tom was loved and respected by all his family and friends. He touched so many lives and will be dearly missed by all those that knew and loved him.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 20, at 2:00 p.m. at Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave., Pocatello, Idaho. Interment will be in the Mountain View Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel.