Howard "Howdy" A. Wells, Jr.August 24, 1937April 25, 2017Howard "Howdy" A. Wells, Jr. was born on August 24, 1937, in Reno, Nevada to Lucia and Howard Wells, Sr. He began his journey in eternal life with his loving family surrounding him on April 25, 2017, in Las Vegas.Howdy grew up in Reno, Nevada and graduated from Reno High School in 1955. After he graduated, the Washington State Cougars gained a determined and wise football tackle where he played for two years. He loved sports and was an avid fan of the San Francisco 49ers, the San Diego Padres, and the UNLV Rebels basketball and football teams. Howdy had a most generous spirit, and he loved sharing his passion for sports with his family and friends. The younger family members were always happy to accept his invitation to go watch a game.After attending Washington State and becoming a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Howdy returned to Reno in 1958. From there, he went to Acarí, Peru to head his family's iron ore mine. When he returned from Peru, he attended the University of Nevada at Reno, graduating in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.While boating with friends on Lake Tahoe in the summer of 1959, he spotted a young beauty sunbathing with friends on the beach. He piloted the boat over, managed to get her to accept an invitation to take a ride, and thus Jan and Howdy embarked upon a beautiful love affair that spanned 58 years. Jan and Howdy took many more rides, traveling the world together. Their travels often included their children and grandchildren. Howdy treasured those adventures and delighted in his family.Howdy's family were blessed to have a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. Those who were fortunate enough to live under the protection of his wing knew a man of gentle strength, warm humor, humility, kindness and generosity. These attributes extended to his public life as well.Howdy, with Jan by his side, was an active participant in the Elks BPOE in Reno. He was an avid rodeo fan and Director of the Reno Rodeo Association, President of United Way while in Reno, and a member of the Prospector's Club of Reno. Howdy's philanthropic efforts continued in Las Vegas. Howdy was passionately involved in a number of charitable organizations, giving of his time and support. The United Way, Opportunity Village, local youth sports teams and numerous local charitable organizations all benefited from his experience, knowledge and desire to make an impact on the local community. Howdy was a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, as was Jan, his children and grandchildren, and past President of Southwest Rotary. Christmas trees around the state are graced every year with the unique ornaments Howdy, with the help of Jan, designed and sold to raise money for the eradication of polio through Rotary International. With their involvement in this organization, Howdy and Jan made long-lasting friendships throughout the world which remain to this day.Early in Howdy and Jan's marriage, he managed the Riverside Parking Garage in Reno while also selling Aetna Insurance. In August of 1971, Howdy & Jan packed up and moved their family to Las Vegas where Howdy became responsible for the operation of Wells Cargo, Inc.'s international mining, transportation and construction operations.Howdy's strength in leadership extended to the business community as well. He was a founding member of the Reno Downtown Association, a board member of the former Pioneer Citizens Bank, a member of the governing boards of the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Associated General Contractors. He was the founding father of the Nevada Contractors Association--appropriately so, since he held the oldest active contractor's license, number 273, in the State of Nevada.While Howdy's numerous accomplishments and experiences are difficult to summarize, the man himself is not. He is a man who loved well and lived a beautiful life. He is survived by his beloved wife Janet, daughter Shawn Landrum (Tim), son Guy Wells (Jodi), daughter Jenna Wells-Doto (Dave), grandchildren Kelsey, Lauren, Sierra, Beau, Alexandra, Brönte, and Savannah, and numerous other cherished family members.A funeral is scheduled for Thursday, May 4, at 1:00 pm at Canyon Ridge Christian Church, 6200 W. Lone Mountain Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130, Pastor Kevin Odor officiating.Donations in memory of Howdy may be made to the Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute, 10140 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, California 92121 https://www.scripps.org/locations/specialty-centers__scripps-whittier-diabetesinstitute