Bryan Lewis Howlett was born on May 3, 1964 passed away tragically due to an Auto/Pedestrian accident on the evening of July 7th, 2018 at the age of 54. Brian has been nearly homeless the past few years due to his back surgeries and other health problems. He walked with 2 canes and rode the Trax trains to get around.
He has recently been working with his Dad and the VA to setup an annual lease so he could have a proper place to live. Thanks go out to all those who have been able and willing to give him a place to live from time to time. Bryan came into our home at the age of 6 having had a difficult young life.
We accepted him and made him part of our family. He especially enjoyed going on trips with us. It was definitely a highlight of our family life to go to the temple with him and have him sealed to us as part of our family.
Bryan attended Alta High School and served for a time in the Marine Corps. After that he did not stay around home much but did come to visit at Christmas and special occasions. In his radio work and his circle of friends he went by his previous name of Matt Vance.
Bryan had a great ability to talk to people and developed quite a talent of storytelling, writing comedy and radio scripts. He was very friendly and remembered peoples names, dates and events. He worked in various jobs during his adult life including driving cab, driving truck cross country, working at radio stations writing comedy and script and working with comedians.
He bought an 18-wheeler one time in his career and was excited to bring it by and show it to all of us. His favorite vehicle though was his Harley chopper. He kept that bike running as long as he could.
Bryan shared the same interest in Neil Diamond music as his brother Wade, who owned Neil Diamond albums as a teenager. Bryan remembered this and in the 90’s was able to get some tickets to a Neil Diamond concert that he took Wade to. That was a great memory they both share together.
Bryan tried to be a lawful and worthwhile citizen but some things just seem to attract the police. He was pulled over one time riding his Harley because they thought he had an AK47 strapped to his back. The police were not able to give him a ticket that day.
Bryan just had his crutches strapped to his back and for some reason they thought that was an assault rifle. Bryan is survived by his parents, Carol Jaynes & Glen G. Howlett, his brother, Wade G. (Audrey) Howlett; and sisters, Geri Lyn (Joseph) Hatch, Cheryl (Ken) Harper, and Lisa Spizman, his brother by birth; Jon Vance as well as multiple friends and caregivers. He was preceded in death by an older brother Alan G Howlett and grandparents Golden & Ada Howlett and Ellen & Arzie H. Jaynes.
Those wishing may attend a short viewing Friday, July 13th at noon with the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at Alta Heights LDS Ward house, 1475 E. 8600 S., Sandy. Interment will be in Draper Cemetery. Condolences may be left online at www.
goffmortuary.com.
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