Jerry Richard Gerald Howard

In Loving Memory of Richard Gerald "Jerry" Howard

November 26, 1942 - October 7, 2025

Richard Gerald Howard, lovingly known as "Jerry" and affectionately called "Howie" by his friends and colleagues, passed peacefully unto the Lord on October 7, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with illness. He was 82 years old.

A proud resident of Cottage Grove, Oregon, Jerry lived a life defined by service, passion, and purpose. A four-sport athlete in his youth, Jerry's lifelong passion was baseball. For the past 20 years, he lived his dream by working in Professional Baseball with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. As a beloved member of the Volcanoes' front office, he created one of the most comprehensive annual Military Tributes in Minor League Baseball. His efforts were nationally recognized when the Northwest League honored him for three consecutive years, culminating in receiving the prestigious Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award in 2019. That December, in front of over 3,000 peers at the Baseball Winter Meetings in San Diego, Minor League Baseball President Pat O'Conner presented the award to Jerry, who gave a heartfelt and memorable acceptance speech.

Jerry was a proud graduate of the University of Oregon and a devoted Oregon Ducks fan. From 1961 to 1966, he honorably served in the U.S. military, including a special assignment on President Lyndon B. Johnson's ranch. Following his service, he became a professional baseball umpire, officiating thousands of games across multiple leagues. Among his proudest moments was being selected to umpire at the Olympic Games, where he called his final game between Team USA and China. He also scouted for both the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs, bringing his deep knowledge of the game to the next generation of athletes.

Before beginning a nearly 25-year career with R.J. Reynolds, Jerry served in education as both a teacher and coach. In 1978, he led Cottage Grove High School to the State Championship baseball game and was later named Head Coach of the Oregon All-State Baseball Team. In recognition of his achievements, he was inducted into the Cottage Grove High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011.

In 2006, Jerry joined the Volcanoes' marketing team and continued to make an impact both on and off the field. His dedication to honoring veterans earned him numerous accolades, including the Military Order of the Purple Heart Distinguished Service Award in 2015, the U.S. Army Distinguished Service Award in 2019, and the Oregon Distinguished Service Award in 2022-the highest civilian honor in the state-presented by Governor Kate Brown and the Oregon National Guard. In 2021, Keizer Mayor Cathy Clark and the City Council declared July 4th as "Jerry Howard Day" in recognition of his extraordinary contributions.

Jerry's love for coaching never waned. During his time with the Volcanoes, he led youth teams to championships in both CYA State Basketball and Junior Baseball of Oregon, and even coached in a National Tournament in Cooperstown, New York. In 2022, he was named Commissioner of the Mavericks Independent Baseball League, a position he proudly held until his passing.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Mark, and his beloved wife of 38 years, Bea, in 2021. He is survived by his two loving daughters, Cari Lynn Blocker and Terra Lynn Ortega, who carry forward his legacy of strength, kindness, and unwavering dedication to community and country.

Jerry Howard was a man of character, humility, and heart. His contributions to baseball, to youth, to veterans, and to the state of Oregon will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America.