Robert Towell

Robert E. “Bob” Towell passed away on Monday, Dec. 28, 2015. A graveside service was held Jan. 2 at the R.V. “Mike” Ramsay Memorial Cemetery in Snowflake. He was born Aug. 15, 1941, in Centerville, Kan., and spent most of his childhood in Medford, Okla. Bob moved to Arizona in 1958, where he met the love of his life, Lorna Evans, in 1959. They were married in 1960 and had six children. He started working at the paper mill west of Snowflake in 1966 as a machine tender. He opened his locksmith shop, Security Lock & Keys, in 1976 as a hobby that ended up being a mountain wide business. He retired from both in 2011. Bob loved golf and the outdoors. He made it a point every October to invite his boys and anyone else who wanted to go on a quail hunt in Haystack on the Salt River. He loved gardening of all sorts; roses were his favorite. He would watch the sunrise and sunset every day before he got sick. He was known for his sense of humor and always making a joke. He would always tell his kids and grandkids, “Be good and if you’re not, don’t name it after me.” If they were being loud in the house, he would tell them to “go play in the highway.” He called every female “Darlin’” and every male “Guy” whether he knew them or not. He would always lend a helping hand whenever needed. He was preceded in death by his father, Walter Plese Towell; his mother, Ida Jennice Towell; two brothers, David Walter Towell (David) and Ronald Leroy Towell (Leroy); and a daughter, Michelle Crickett Turley (Crickett). Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Lorna G. Towell; five children, Gaylene (Aaron), Bobby (Jeanette), Connie, Dale (Jamie) and Roguen; 18 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. Owens Livingston Mortuary of Snowflake was in charge of the arrangements.