Douglas Raymond 'Ray' Howell Jr., 20

Douglas Raymond 'Ray' Howell Jr., 20, passed away in Coeur d'Alene after a courageous battle with melanoma cancer on June 8, 2006.

Vigil Rosary service was held at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 12, 2006, in Coffelt's Funeral Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 13, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. The Rev. Dennis C. Day will officiate.

Ray was born prematurely on April 23, 1986, in Sacred Heart Hospital; he weighed 2 pounds, 13 ounces. Because of this, he had open heart surgery and suffered from poor eyesight. He took this in stride with a sense of humor and a warm, caring way.

He attended schools in Priest River, Oldtown, Athol and Spirit Lake, Idaho. He graduated from Sandpoint High School in 2005 and was active in track and field. He worked at Silverwood during the summers and attended North Idaho College.

Ray was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, the church youth group, with Father Day being one of his favorite people.

Ray was an avid reader and he enjoyed computer games and history.

He was a talented artist, doing pencil sketches and hoping for a career in art and history.

He loved horseback riding on his grandparents' ranch, summers at the lake home and going fishing with his Dad and family.

Ray and his sister, Ashley, were raised by his father, Doug, and stepmother, Debbie, who preceded him in death in February of this year.

Ray's mom remembers long walks, watching movies and cooking fried potatoes. His sister, Ashley, remembers a close childhood, and the two of them playing games, fighting and having long talks. He and his stepdad, Stuart, shared jokes, CDs and shopping trips to Hastings.

Ray is survived by his father, Douglas Howell Sr. of Athol; his mother and stepfather, Debra Howell and Stuart Hawn of Post Falls, Idaho; two sisters, Ashley Marie Howell of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Taelor Leann Lewis of Salem, Ore.; grandparents, Arlene and Alton Howell of Careywood, Idaho, and Kathy and Buck Brautigan of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was loved very much by his extended family and will live forever in their hearts.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.