Gerald "Jerry" Lee Howard

Gerald Lee Howard was born in West Plains, Missouri on 28 April 1946. He spent most of his life in Missouri with a few side trips to South America with the Peace Corps, some time at Great Lakes Naval Training Base with the US Navy, and numerous international Boy Scout Jamborees. On one of his trips, he found the place he would finally call home—Klamath Falls, Oregon. After twenty-plus years working for the Missouri Environmental Department in Air Pollution control, he retired to Oregon. His true love was scouting. A boy scout for life, he was a founding member of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity at Missouri State University where he earned his first degree, BS in Philosophy in 1970. He continued his education with degrees and certifications in Forestry, fire-fighting, hotel-motel management, and more, culminating with a Master of Science Degree in Public Administration. Working with the Boy Scouts of America was his true passion and he was a long-time Commissioner with the Klamath Falls Area Council. He loved sharing his skills in leatherworking with anyone who would listen. Always a conservationist, he found solace in the forest and in nature where his ashes will be scattered by family this spring. “Jerry” to his friends and family, passed away from a heart attack and was found at his home in Klamath Falls on 26 November 2022. He was preceded in death by his mother Mary E. Kirk of Springfield, Missouri, his father, Waldo W. Howard of Arvada, Colorado, and half-sister Melanie H. Platt of Colorado. Jerry is survived by his sister, Dorothy M. Winchell of Iowa Park, Texas; half-brothers Timothy S. Howard of Littleton, Colorado, and Bill J. Kirk of Corpus Christi, Texas; half-sisters Ann M. Dighans of New Ellenton, South Carolina and Linda D. Moshier of Jefferson City, Missouri; two nieces; two nephews; two great-nieces; two great nephews; and one great-great-niece. Any memorials should be made to your local Boy Scout Troop in his memory.