Gerald 'Jerry' Howe

JERRY HOWE Gerald Everett "Jerry" Howe, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend passed away October 4, 2011 at home surrounded by family. He lived to be seventy-eight years, ten months and fourteen days before pancreatic cancer took his life. Survivors include his loving wife of forty-nine years, Audrey; two sons, Gerald "Jerry" Howe Jr. and wife Joan and their three sons Andrew, Travis and Jordan all of Tigard, Oregon and Daniel Howe and wife Tracy and their four children Abigail, Addison, Thomas and Rhianna all of Camdenton, Missouri; four sisters Marjorie Barta-Dowde of Marshalltown, Iowa, Helen Wiley and husband Ellsworth of Belle Plaine, Iowa, Zelda Andresen of Atkins, Iowa and Linda Lindgrin and husband Tom of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; two brothers, Stanford Howe, Elberon, Iowa and Allen Howe and wife Linda, Cedar Rapids, Iowa along with many nieces and nephews. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Thelma; a brother, Delbert and four brothers in-law, Clifford Barta, John Barta, Gaylon Gien and Calvin Andresen. Jerry was born November 20, 1932 at home in Garrison, Iowa, the seventh child of Alma and Everett Howe. He graduated in 1950 from Keystone High School enlisting in the U.S Navy in 1951 serving four years active duty in the Korean Conflict and four years as Naval Reserve instructor in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. His four years of active duty were served on the USS Cassin Young DD793 taking him around the world to experience people and places he never imagined. Jerry attended reunions every few years to share memories and reunite with fellow shipmates on the Cassin Young, now a museum located in the Charleston Naval Shipyard, Boston, Massachusetts. In 1954, Jerry married Patricia Nobel, in Boston Massachusetts. To this union two children were born, a daughter Linda and a son Paul. Patricia and Paul preceded Jerry in death. Jerry was a member of the Camdenton United Methodist Church, the Masonic Lodge, and a lifetime member of the American Legion, VFW and Tin Can Sailors Association. Jerry had a great love of music spending many years playing drums and singing in Iowa bands which included Don Anders and the Aces, Frank Buhr and the Midwest Rambelers, Kenny Hofer Orchestra, Johnny Ketelsen Band and the Don Miller Trio. In addition Jerry helped out various other bands over the years. He was the happiest when on stage making music for others. In 1960 Jerry began working for Collins Radio retiring from Rockwell in 1989. In addition to music Jerry enjoyed attending auctions, buying antiques, hunting, fishing, trap shooting, camping and playing bingo. Most important was time spent with his grandchildren and his beloved dog "Sassie". He took great pride in his antique car and tractors riding in parades and tractor Cades for many years. Winter months would find Jerry in Alamo Texas enjoying the warm weather, Saturday jam sessions and good times with friends. Jerry truly loved live and the many blessings he was privileged to enjoy each and every day. A memorial will be held Sunday October 9, 2011 from 1-3p.m., in the Camdenton United Methodist Church. Memorial donations may be made to the Camdenton United Methodist Church and left at the funeral home. Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton is assisting the family with arrangements.