Jerry Lee Howard

Jerry Lee Howard, age 75, of Logan, Oklahoma, passed away unexpectedly on March 21, 2020.  A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, March 25 at 11:00 am at Kiowa Cemetery.   Due to public circumstances, a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Jerry was born in Beaver, Oklahoma on April 7, 1944 to Glen and Eva (Taylor) Howard. He spent his elementary and junior high years in the two room school house, Victory School.  He often rode his pony to school, played pirate ship with his friends from the over turned outhouse, and developed his keen wit and sense humor and storytelling.  He transferred to Laverne High School, graduating with the Class of 1962.  He then attended Panhandle A&M College in Goodwell, Oklahoma where he graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry.  While in attendance at Panhandle, he met and married the love of his life, Patricia Howard, on December 19, 1965.  When the two of them originally met, because of their last names being the same, they thought they might be cousins.  Once they found out they were not related and they actually liked each other, they decided they would be kissin’ cousins.  Jerry and Patt had two children, Russell and Krista.

From an early age, Jerry was actively engaged in the family farming operation. He was milking cows from the age of five and continued doing so when he took over the dairy operation until 1987.  After selling the dairy, he continued the farming operation by raising cattle, growing alfalfa, wheat, milo, corn, and oats. He loved the farm life and could never imagine doing anything else. He was named the Jaycees Young Farmer and Rancher of the Year, The Associated Milk Producers Outstanding Young Dairyman, and served on the Beaver County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and Darrouzett Coop Board of Directors for many years.

Besides his love of farming, was his love of family. He loved watching his children in their sports, 4-H, FFA, and other activities, while they were in school at both Garrett and Laverne High School. He served on the Garrett school board for several years.  Nothing, however, could compare to his love for his grandkids. His farm transitioned to a mini petting zoo just because the grandkids needed to experience every single variety of animals available. He and Patt put thousands of miles on their vehicle following the Laverne Tigers across Oklahoma and the Spearman Lynx across Texas to watch the grandkids compete in multiple sports.  Papah was the best guy in the world in the eyes of the grandkids.

Above all, was Jerry’s faith. He grew up in the Midway Country Church and continued to attend there today. He served as a board member, Sunday School teacher, and Superintendent.  One of his many talents was writing poetry that he would often share with the congregation.

Jerry loved to visit with people and could tell stories like no other.  He always had a smile, a joke, a witty antidote, and found the positive in any situation.  He cared about people and always believed the best about people, regardless of the situation. He loved family reunions and getting together with family members that he did not get to see on a regular basis.   He valued his faith, family, and friends, and will be truly missed by those who knew him.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; brother Merlin Howard; sister and brother-in-law, Bill and Belva Pennington; niece, Sherry Korsmo; and great nephew, Dakota Pennington.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Patt; son Russell and wife, Becky Howard, Logan, Oklahoma – Russell and Becky’s children – Camey Howard, Laramie Howard, Medicine Lodge, Kansas; Kyle Painter, Beaver, Oklahoma; Brayson and Yahdira Howard, Woodward, Oklahoma; Luke Painter, El Reno, Oklahoma; daughter Krista and husband, Todd Baird, Spearman, Texas – Krista and Todd’s children – Tanner Baird, Sunray, Texas; Trenton Baird, Stillwater, Oklahoma; one uncle, Reverend Bobby Taylor; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and fellow farmers, ranchers, and neighbors.