Don Howrey

DONALD DUANE (DON) HOWREY

1933 – 2025

Don Howrey of Harviell, Missouri entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the age of ninety-one on Father’s Day, June 15, 2025, at Cape Girardeau Veterans Home. He suffered traumatic injuries in the tornado that tore through Harviell on Friday, March 14 and was unable to recover. Don was born in Kemp, IL on November 29, 1933, the fifth of Clyde Jackson and Martha Tyrrhene Howrey’s seven children.

Don was preceded in death by his parents and four of his siblings: Virginia Wiseman, Josephine Gerrie, Jack Howrey and Jim Howrey. Two brothers survive him: Gary Howrey of Urbana, IL and Mick Howrey of the Arcola, IL area.

Don graduated from Arcola, IL High School. He was an outstanding athlete. Co-captain of a highly rated football team and a very good basketball player but his best sport was baseball. After high school, while playing semi-professional baseball in Mattoon, he was offered a minor league contract in the Cardinals organization but chose to get married and enter the workforce. He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany in the same unit as Elvis Presley.

Don met and married Carol Archer and they were blessed with two children, Jeffrey and Lee Ann. The couple subsequently divorced, and Don married Debra O’Dell on March 12, 1977, in Springfield, IL. Don leaves behind Debra, his wife of 48 years. Son, Jeffrey Howrey of Park City, UT, daughter Lee Ann (Scott) Warren of Springfield, OH and grandson Ross (Cassidy) Warren of Upper Arlington, OH.

Don worked for Swift and Company as a route salesman out of their Crawfordsville, IN office before joining Illinois National Insurance Company where he diligently worked his way up to the executive level as Vice President of Sales. He was a long-time member of the Church of Christ, Kemp, IL

He loved Chicago Bulls basketball during the Michael Jordan era. He was a life-long Purple Rider, ILLINI and Cardinals fan. Don had many great golf outings with his brothers Jim and Mick in Oakland and St. Louis.

Don enjoyed, and encouraged, back-and-forth “chats” with his brother Jack. He liked these “chats” because he could always count on Jack taking the opposite side of any topic just to get Don’s interest and dedicated “attention”. For over 15 years he was the constant companion, and big brother when needed, of his brother Mick at ILLINI and Purple Rider football games too numerous to count.

One classic “Don” comment that will never be forgotten. At a Super Bowl party at Mick’s St. Louis home, Don went to a closet to get a towel. He picked up a towel, turned to look at the guests and announced, “Mick, do you fold all of your laundry in the shape of footballs?” Everyone laughed except Mick because it did appear as if everything in the closet was shaped like a football.

Don loved his family, his dogs, and trips to casinos to show off his outstanding skills and uproarious humor at the craps table. Other than his big wins, this is one of Don’s favorite casino stories.

Don and Debra were in a casino in Tunica, MS. John Daly, legendary professional golfer, was working as a “host” for the casino. John invited himself to the table where Don and Debra were dining and a laugh-filled conversation ensued. Here’s where the conversation ended and the part of the conversation that Don especially enjoyed. John started the final part of the conversation by saying:

‘Hey Don, see this watch?’

‘Sure do, John. Nice watch.’

‘How much do you think it’s worth, Don? Take a guess.’

‘Oh, maybe $5,000.’

‘Come on, Don! You gotta be kidding. I wouldn’t wear a $5,000 watch! It’s worth over $100,000. More than you’ll ever make in a year!’

Don, without emotion or excitement, nonchalantly replied, ‘Nice watch, John!’

John moved to a different table.

There will be no funeral service at this time. The family will arrange a celebration of life event at a future date. Sympathy cards and condolences can be mailed to Family of Don Howrey, 4955 CR 488 Harviell, MO 63945