Carl Howell Jr., 83, of Hodgenville, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, at the University of Louisville Hospital.

He grew up in Hodgenville and was in the first graduating class of LaRue County High School in 1959. He was a gifted athlete and an avid sports fan, especially of the UK Wildcats. He played baseball in high school and at Campbellsville College, which he often described as the best years of his life. Later, he enjoyed playing softball with traveling teams and church leagues and coaching his daughters' softball teams.

After graduating from Georgetown College, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Carl Howell, Sr. and his uncle, James Richard Howell, and attended the University of Kentucky College of Law. Following law school, he served as an FBI agent in Buffalo, New York, and in New York City, New York, for several years before returning to Hodgenville to join his father to practice law. He held immense love and respect for his father and cherished the time they worked together. He continued practicing law as a solo practitioner after his father's death, earning admiration, trust and respect throughout the community.

Beyond his career, he was well-known as a Kentucky and Abraham Lincoln historian, and a premiere collector of Kentucky and Lincoln postcards from the early 1900s. He authored multiple books inspired and illustrated by postcards from his collection. He also loved classic country music, especially George Jones and the Statler Brothers.

Those who knew him often were treated to funny stories, jokes, clever one-liners and, to those closest to him, a challenging spelling word. One of his favorite activities was spending time at his waterfall property, where he hosted countless gatherings with friends and family and where he married his cherished wife, Sharon, in 2004. He was incredibly proud of his five daughters and was a never-ending source of love and support to them.

Carl was a Christian and a member of Buffalo Baptist Church, where he and Sharon attended as long as they were able to do so.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Dorothy Howell; and a grandson, Cross Justice Goodwin.

Carl is survived by a large family who loves him greatly and will seek to honor his memory. His surviving family includes his wife, Sharon Howell; five daughters, Kristi Grant, Dana (Brian) Collins and Cara Howell, all of Hodgenville, Brittany (Paul) Griggs of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Ashley (Brian) Voils of Bardstown; a stepson, Marty (Teresa) Lee of Hodgenville; a sister, Pam Howell of Hodgenville; eight grandchildren, Blake Morris, Briar Holt, Cole (Carrie) Holt, Mason Grant, Allison Whelan, Bree Goodwin, Ainsley Grant and Lauren Whelan; six stepgrandchildren, Zack (Rachel) Lee, Maddie (Andrew) McPherson, Jesse Collins, Ava Jorgens, Avery Voils and Leo Voils; and a great-grandson, Carson Holt.

The funeral is at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at Bennett-Bertram Funeral Home in Hodgenville with Robin Milby and Marty Lee officiating. Burial follows in Red Hill Cemetery.

Visitation is from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday and continues from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Published by The News-Enterprise from Aug. 14 to Aug. 17, 2025.