Help In Honor Richard 'Cook' Hower's Memory

Hey everyone, I'm Cook/Cookie's younger sister, Patty. We are asking those of you who knew and loved him, in lieu of flowers, to donate to help with funeral expenses. He passed on December 10th, from a short illness, and his immediate family does not have the funds to bury him. So please show your love for Richard, Cook (Cookie), and let him rest in peace with the respect he deserves. Y'all are so appreciated in our time of need.

Richard “Cook” Thomas Hower – Richard passed December 10, 2024, after a short illness. He was born September 5, 1963, in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Cook, or Cookie, as a youth, loved and excelled at football, wrestling, and academics. He enjoyed music, fishing, camping, and snowmobiling in his younger days as well. Cook later became a resident in Evanston, Wyoming, for the remainder of his life. He was an avid Wyoming Cowboys and Green Bay Packers fan. He enjoyed going to watch the buffalo at the state park with his kids and grandkids. He really loved spending time with his family above all else. Cook was loved by so many people and will be missed.

Richard is survived by his wife, Valarie Hower; his children, daughter Arnel Hower, son Daunte Hower, stepdaughter Joloree Butcher; 3 grandchildren, Autumn Hower, Trindie Ring, and Kage Williams, all of Evanston, Wyoming. Cook is also survived by 5 brothers and 6 sisters: Bill and Bridget Hower of Green River, Wyoming; Bob Hower of Boise, Idaho; Mark Hower of Green River, Wyoming; Tina and Edgar Gomez of Green River, Wyoming; Jamie and Chuck Thornhill of Fruita, Colorado; Patty and Enoch Eckols of Forestburg, Texas; Tracy and David Salazar of Lawrenceville, Georgia; James and Vivian Wood of Potosi, Missouri; Shelly and Marlin Moen of Green River, Wyoming; Shanna and Keith Mecham of Grand Forks, North Dakota; Glen and Cheri Wood of Green River, Wyoming; Uncle Jack and Barb Hower of Rock Springs, Wyoming; Uncle Roy Shepard of Green River, Wyoming; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Donna Mae Hower; father, James Oliver Hower; nephew, Derrick Dreben; daughter, Melinda Mae Hower; both sets of grandparents, Elizabeth and George Hower & Donald and Evelyn Shepard; nephew, Kevin Meacham; his mother and father-in-law, Letha and David Wagstaff; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

There will be a viewing on Friday, December 20, 2024, from 6-9 pm at the LDS Church, 632 Twin Ridge Ave, Evanston, WY 82930. Services will be held on Saturday, December 21st at 11 am, at the LDS Church, 632 Twin Ridge Ave, Evanston, WY 82930. There will be a GoFundMe page set up to help the family with funeral costs, and in lieu of flowers, they would greatly benefit from a donation.