Jerry Howard

1942 - 2015

Jerry Howard Jerry Wayne Howard was an amazing husband, dad, brother, grandpa and friend. He passed away peacefully on December 8, 2015, at age 73, with his three daughters and his wife surrounding him. Jerry was born in Antlers, Oklahoma. The oldest of four children, he spent his childhood days playing baseball and catching catfish in the murky red-dirt ponds. In 1961, he married his "sunshine," Janice Gilbert, whom he'd know since first grade. They attended East Central State University in Ada, Oklahoma, where he graduated with a B.S. in Mathematics and a minor in Physics. After teaching math for a short stint at Antlers High School, Jerry took a job with Western Electric (AT&T) to provide for his growing family. Taking a promotion, he and the family relocated to California in 1971, and he worked for AT&T for a total of 25 years. Jerry was an epic fisherman and he also loved deer hunting, golfing, boating, playing Johnny Cash songs on his guitar, and spending a lot of time with his kids and grandkids, who often referred to him as "the ice cream man." He had a quiet, confident faith in God and a subtle sense of humor-leaving a beautiful legacy for his family. He was a humble, wise, salt-of-the-earth man, but when he spoke you knew he had something important to tell you. After retiring from AT&T, Jerry and Janice moved to the town of Arnold, nestled in the Sierra Foothills, where he could further pursue his love of the outdoors. He received a Masters in Education and taught math and statistics classes at Arnold high School and Columbia Junior College. Jerry is survived by his wife, Janice; children, Colette (Chris) Joyce of San Luis Obispo, Calif., Karla (Leonard) Simmons of Vacaville, Calif., and Kelly Howard (Irwin Darma) of Diamond Bar, Calif.; siblings, Judy (Ronnie) Bowman of Calera, Okla., Linda (Keiller) Burkhalter of Calera, Okla., and Dan Howard of Greenville, S.C.; six grandchildren: Sandy, Tanya, Kayla, Calvin, Connor and Cambria; and two great-grandchildren: Nataliya and Carlos. In his later years, Jerry encountered Parkinson's and other health difficulties but continued to meet them bravely, with the help of his devoted wife. His departure will leave a void, but his loved ones look forward to meeting him again on the other side and can't wait to hear his fish stories from that "limitless" pond! The Memorial Service will be held at Grace Baptist Church in Santa Maria, Calif. (605 E. McCoy Ln.) on Monday, Dec. 14 at 9:30am with a reception to follow at the church.