I was walking up to a community center building in Talmage, Kansas with an arm full of Convention of States handouts and information. I dropped a small stack of business cards when I noticed Art had arrived. I had called upon Art to help with the crowd that would be gathering to hear us speak. He was quite familiar with the area and had a very unique ability to calm the angriest of individuals. We just were not sure how we would be received at this meeting of local individuals.
Art reached down and scooped up the business cards off the ground. "How do you do that Art? You are in your 80s" I said, as if Art didn't know how old he was. He shrugged and said, I never did anything to beat up my body.
Art was an engineer and surveyor for several counties. In his mid 20s, he and his wife established their own engineering firm in Lincoln County, KS. He had been a board member for the Kansas State Agriculture and State Fair. He had been the president of the Kansas Simmental Cattle Association and served in the American Boer Goat Association. He also held a private pilot’s license. Yet, he was able to swoop down and pick stuff up off the ground at his ripe old age. I have no doubt Art escaped arguments with cattle, goats, airplanes, and people by charming them.
Art was always consistent and predictable. I could find him in any crowd, at any time, for any event by looking for a yellow shirt. No matter what time of year it was, he would be in a yellow button-up dress shirt, usually with a soft-patterned tie. He never altered his style.
He performed every task and movement with a slow and timed patience. From picking up a glass, to moving across the room to talk to someone, he always appeared comfortable.
Art was a passionate advocate for Convention of States. I have yet to meet another soul as passionate about Convention of States as Art Howell.
I recall a speech I did on behalf of Convention of States. I had gotten sidetracked on the reasons why I volunteer for Convention of States and my speech ended up spending too much time on those reasons instead of on Convention of States. Art was a bit upset about that; I think. It was hard to tell as he explained his dissatisfaction while smiling. An honest smile could be seen in his eyes. His tone of voice was calm, and his body language was that of a grandfather explaining how to tie shoes to a passing child seeking his assistance in the middle of a grocery store. He had such incredible patience.
I don't ever recall Art giving a presentation to an audience. I know that he has. I have seen the pictures. I also know that he organized Convention of States meeting all over central Kansas long before I rediscovered our Constitution. However, I have never seen him give a public presentation. I know Art best by his ability to engage in personal conversations with individuals about Convention of States. Art could work a crowd full of people. Moving from person to person. One individual at a time.
Art was the person I wanted to take when I was sure opposition to Article V and the Constitution would be in attendance. The angriest of people just couldn't bring themselves to start shouting to take up arms with Art in the room. His smile was inviting. His voice was always calm, and his speech was always reasoning. Art Howell was a true patriot and Statesman.
Arthur “Art” W. Howell, Jr. 86, passed away Friday, March 11, 2022, in Lincoln, KS.
