Obituary Note: Fran Howell

Fran Howell, co-founder of the Raymar Book Company, died on Saturday evening, February 6. He was 85.

In the early 1960s, Howell and the late Stu Woodruff partnered to create Raymar, which would become the premier trade book wholesaler in the West. In 1976, Raymar was acquired by Ingram Book Company and the combined company began its current run as a national and global leader.

Art Carson at Ingram, who with Howell did most of the buying for Raymar, said, "Fran was a great mentor for me, and I will be forever thankful for not only the lessons he taught me about the book industry and how to buy books, but also for the example he set as a kind and compassionate human being. In its day, Raymar set new performance standards in fill-rates, delivery times and customer service that continue at Ingram today."

Howell is survived by his wife, Margaret, and their two children, Chris Justice and Lisa Irvin.

Flowers for the Thursday, February 11, memorial service may be sent to Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd, St. George, UT 84770. Interment will be Saturday, February 13, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.