Arles E. “Les” Howell

November 29, 2025

Arles E. “Les” Howell, 92, passed away after a brief illness on November 29, 2025. For the past two years, he made his home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania after many years in Roseville, California.
Born in Blair, Oklahoma on July 28, 1933, he was the son of Sally Christine and George Edgar Howell.

Les played football in high school, where he met his first love, Mary Lou Clark. The two later married, and she preceded him in death on July 2, 1998.

After high school, Les applied for employment with the FBI and was quickly accepted, working as a Security Clerk and Courier in the Albuquerque office before being drafted into the United States Army. He served two years in Korea, rising to the rank of sergeant. He was justifiably proud of his service to his country.

Following his stint in the military, he transitioned to civilian life and began working in the field of electronics where he discovered a growing interest in computers. He was proud to share that while working as a Controller for Atari, he was involved in the development of PONG, the first computer game—a story he enjoyed telling throughout his life.

What Les often referred to as “Part Two” began when he met his second wife, Sandy. In his memoir, The Road Les Traveled, he describes how, while grieving Mary Lou’s passing, he joined an internet “chat line,” where he met school psychologist Sandy. As Les fondly recalled, “Once we connected, we communicated every day and every night, sharing every aspect of our lives.” One thing led to another, and the two fell in love. Les and Sandy were married on March 13, 1999.

In writing about his life, Les said the following: “Looking back, I am in awe of the experiences, good and bad, that led me to where I am today– a man with amazing children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. My friends and acquaintances have added spice and enjoyment to my life, but most amazing, is that God has provided me with Mary Lou and Sandy, two amazing, very different but loving, caring and Godly women. Yes, the road I’ve traveled has been smooth, bumpy, curvy and blessed by God all the way.”

Surviving are his beloved wife, Sandra Elaine; his children Robert Howell (wife Sherri) of Tracy, California; daughters Becci Ciraulo (husband Glen) of Columbia, Tennessee, and Tamara Beardwood. Also surviving is his “Little Bro” James “Jim” Howell (wife Sytha) of Georgetown, Texas; his grandchildren Brandon, Brianna, Alyssa, Kelli, Kyle, Kristin, Jessie, and Jordan; as well as many very special great-grandchildren, Bryce, Kaidin, Owen, Hazel, Emersyn, Camden and Liam.

Services will be held Wednesday, December 17th, 10:00 a.m. at Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Road, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A private family interment will follow at Indian Town Gap National Cemetery at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Greensboro Urban Ministries (305 West Gate City Blvd., Greensboro, NC 27406), Kingsland Baptist Church (20555 Kingsland Blvd., Katy, TX 77450) or The Salvation Army, Lancaster Corps (131 S Queen St., Lancaster, PA 17603).