Captain Merlen Howe, Chaplain Corps, USN, Ret.

Merlen Howe is currently living on ten acres near Lockhart, Texas, with Judy his wife of 47 years. They enjoy the retired life by cruising land and sea once or twice a year. Merlen volunteers as an instructor for AARP Driver Safety Program. He currently serves as Senior Warden for the Lockhart Masonic Lodge and as Commander of the Guard for the Heroes line of National Sojourners, Inc. He is a member of the Seniors and Law Enforcement Together Council of Caldwell County and Caldwell County Veterans’ Council.

Since leaving his hometown of Williams, Iowa, Merlen earned a bachelor’s degree from Simpson College, a master’s of divinity degree from Drake University, and a master’s degree in human resources management from Pepperdine University.

He was ordained in the United Methodist Church in 1960 and retired from the church in 1995. He served some churches in Iowa and spent 30 years in the U. S. Navy as a chaplain retiring as a Captain. Three of those years were at 29 Palms, CA, where Col. Wes Lokken, USMC, was also assigned to the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center. About 17 years of the 30 years as a Navy Chaplain were served in commands where both Marine and Navy personnel were attached. One assignment was Naval Support Force, Antarctica, where all services except Marines were a component.

Merlen and Judy lived three years in Sasebo, Japan; three years in Sigonella, Sicily, Italy; one year each at Quantico, VA, Great Lakes, IL, and Newport, RI, as well as many years on the southern coast of California.