Jonesboro- Thomas "Dickie" Howell, 67, died Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at his home after a three year battle with lung cancer. He was born September 9, 1946 in Leachville, the son of the late Jack and Boyce Braden Howell. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Mary Sue Wilson. Dickie graduated from Monette High School and then served in the United States Air Force in the Security Police Division. He was a Vietnam veteran. He then began his career in law enforcement. After serving in the Blytheville Police Department, the Mississippi County Sheriff's office and the Craighead County Sheriff's office for 28 years, he retired as Chief Deputy of Craighead County Sheriff's office. He also served as Road Foreman for the Craighead County Road Department. He was of the Baptist faith, and loved deer and turkey hunting and spending time with his precious granddaughters. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Kathy; a son and his wife, Hayes and Elizabeth Howell of Jonesboro; two granddaughters, Grace Elizabeth and Elise Carolyn; three sisters, Jacquelyn Howell of Monette, Janis Chambers of Steele, Missouri and Nancy Stewart and husband Revis of Monette. A graveside service to celebrate his life will be 10:00 am, Friday, October 18, 2013 at Pine Hill Cemetery with Revs. Johnny Hutchison and Mike Martin officiating with military honors. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 pm Thursday at Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home at 300 W. Matthews Ave. in Jonesboro. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Alan Hicks, Ernie Walker, Revis Stewart, Jack Gathright, John Gathright and Bill Craig. Lasting memorials may be sent to the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, 1138 E. Matthews Ave, Jonesboro, AR 72401 or the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.