David M. Howells, Sr. July 20, 1934 - July 20, 2019

David M. Howells, Sr., of Allentown, passed away Saturday, July 20, 2019 in Westminster Village on his 85^thbirthday.

David was born in Hazleton and at age three moved to and was raised in center city Allentown by his parents Howard and Caroline Howells.  He grew up in the 900 block of Oak Street.  He graduated from Allentown High School and upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at age 17. In September 1953, while stationed in California he met Sherri.  He was 18 and she was 17 and 53 days later they were married.  He turned 19 and Sherri 18 and are due to celebrate their 66^thwedding anniversary in September.   After the wedding he then was stationed overseas during the Korean War for 18 months.  He was discharged as a Platoon Sergeant. By the age of 25 he had four children the oldest being born while on active duty.

Mr. Howells received his AA Degree and BA Degree in Police Administration from Alvernia College. He is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy. David M. Howells, Sr is a retired Chief of Police of the City of Allentown. He served 30 years with the department in every capacity from patrolman (ten years on the emergency truck) to platoon sergeant and detective sergeant.  He was the department’s primary homicide investigator arresting more than 20 murderers. One particular murder investigation case involved a man who killed nine people at the same time.  This was and still is the biggest case ever in Lehigh County.  He was promoted to Director of Training as a Lieutenant and later as Captain at the Allentown Police Regional Training Academy serving in that position for 10 years, training more than a thousand police officers throughout PA.  Captain Howells was promoted to Assistant Police Chief and later as Police Chief. Chief Howells received every commendation and every citation that the police department awards including: Merit, Bravery, Heroism and Valor. He also received numerous state and national awards such as: Named Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars as the Most Outstanding Police Officer in Pennsylvania 1984, Honored to receive the J. Edgar Hoover Award from the National Council of the Veterans of Foreign Wars as the Nation’s Most Outstanding Police Officer. He is the only police officer from Pennsylvania to be so honored. David also twice received the Allentown Human Relations Commission for Service to Community Award.

Mr. Howells also served as Director of World Wide Security for Mack Trucks, Eastern Zone Commander for the Office of the Attorney General and was in charge of all drug investigations east side of the state other than Philadelphia County. He served 16 years as an Allentown City Council Person, many years as President of Council.

Mr. Howells was very involved with several Masonic Groups, including: Jordan Martin Lodge No. 673, Past Master; Lehigh Valley Day Lodge No. 813, Past Master; Jordan Chapter No. 203, Past High Priest; Allen Council No. 23, Past Thrice Illustrious Master; Valley of Allentown, Coronated a 33^rdDegree Mason in August 2006; Philadelphia Priory No. 12, Received K.Y.C.H., Knights of the York Cross of Honor in 2007; Past Commanders Association, Past President; Lehigh Valley Joshua Association, Past President; Mary Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, Past Puissant Sovereign; Allied Masonic Degrees, No. 176, Past Sovereign Master; William Allen York Rite College No. 176, Past Governor; Lehigh Valley High Twelve, Past President; Trexler Masonic Library, Past President.

Mr. Howells had memberships in the past with several organizations: Marine Corps League, Past Commandant; Community of Neighborhood Organizations (CNO) Mountainville #30, Past President; Louis E. Dieruff High School Band Parents Club; Louis E. Dieruff High School Booster Club, Past President; Lehigh Valley Knee-Hi Football League, Past President and Secretary; A-Youth (Allentown Youth Organization United to Help), Past Delegate; Y.M.C.A. Y-Indian Guides, Big Chief (President), Tally Keeper (Secretary); President’s Advisory Committee, Criminal Justice Program, Lehigh County Community College; Pennsylvania Association of Municipal Police Education and Training Directors; Queen City Police and Revolver League, Executive Officer, Past President; Queen City Combat Revolver League, Executive Officer ; Lema-React C.B. Radio; Allentown Municipal Employee’s Federal Credit Union, Past Secretary and Board Member; Allentown School District Athletic Council, former Board Member; Friends of Parks, Conservation, Inc. former Board Member; Allentown Rotary Club; Scouting for Food Program Boy Scouts of America, former Chairman; Mercy Learning Center, former Board Member; American Society of Industrial Security; Allentown Police and Fire Civil Service Board, Chairman; Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board; Cystic Fibrosis, former Board of Directors

He coached at Mountainville Memorial for over 30 years.  He coached Baseball, Football and Basketball for Girls and Boys teams for youth up to 19 years of age. Mr. Howells was a member of Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, Allentown.

David is survived by his wife Sherri G. (Harland) Howells, Daughters: Sandi Malay wife of Michael of Brooksville FL, Suzanne Raftery of Allentown, PA; Son: David Jr. husband of Terri Allentown, PA; 8 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; Brother: Howard H. Howells of Harrodsburg, KY; 3 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by daughter Sherrill Bushner.

Services: There will be a visitation from 4-6 pm Tuesday at Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1533 Hamilton St., Allentown with a Masonic Service at 6, followed by a memorial service. Arrangements by Stephens Funeral Home, Inc. www.stephensfuneral.com.

Contributions: Masonic Temple of Allentown, 1524 W. Linden St., Allentown 18102-4285 or Keystone Wounded Warriors Foundation, 16 E. Noble Ave., Shoemakersville 19555.