Page 37 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Fall 2019- Online Magazine

WORLD WAR II

the naval base at longtime Tulia resident, if
Corpus Christi, she knew Elvin Howell. She
Texas. While said, “No.” When she was told he had been the
there, Ens. Howell principal of the junior high, the former teacher
discovered he had recognized his name. Not only had she been his
13¼ points, ¼ more student, he had hired her to teach. She said, “Oh,
than he needed you mean Mr. Howell!”
to get out. “That
meant I could go Elvin Howell has done a lot of noteworthy
home!” things in his life, but one of the most surprising
was on another excursion a couple of years ago.
He did go home The then 103-year-old made headlines when he
to Amarillo and ziplined over Palo Duro Canyon. The humble
taught PE in the Mr. Howell also neglected to mention that
sixth grade. Two accomplishment, but everyone else remembers
sons were born - it. At 105, he continues to add to an inspiring life
John and Fred. The story, and when he has a few minutes between
couple felt that Amarillo was no place to raise bridge games, he’ll be happy to share from the
boys. It was “too rugged, too rough”. Rena’s enormous treasury of things he does remember.
mother had bought land in Tulia; they liked
the town and moved there in 1954. Elvin
taught social studies at Tulia Junior High
where he also coached seventh grade football,
basketball and track. After a few years, he
was promoted to principal and continued
in that role for 10 years until 1967, when he
retired. His mother-in-law, who had always
lived with them, became ill, and he took care
of her until 1988 when she passed away.
Then, sadly, after six decades of marriage,
Rena developed Alzheimer’s. A doctor in
Amarillo had diagnosed her, “but we never
went back to him. She didn’t want to believe
she had it. She never believed she had it. She
was never sick; she just forgot how to eat.”
Elvin took care of her in their home until her
death in 2002.

Son John and his wife Carol moved to
Lubbock, and Elvin relocated there to be near
them. He is an avid bridge player and enjoys
his daily breakfast group with friends.
He is something of a celebrity. “So many
people know me because of my age.”
He enjoys people, and they enjoy him. A
couple of stories that didn’t come up in the
interview were shared by other residents
at his independent living community. One
friend remembered a field trip to the museum
in Tulia. He asked one of the docents, a

Amarillo Senior Link 37