Gerald T. Howard
Gerald (Jerry) T. Howard, 89, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, May 10, 2024. He was the son of the late Rosa and Sam Howard.
Born in Frederick, Md. on Jan. 3, 1935, he grew up in Martinsburg, where he attended Hooge St. Elementary, Martinsburg High School (class of 1952), and Shepherd (College) University (class of 1956). While at Shepherd, Jerry enjoyed playing in the band under the direction of Dr. Guy Frank.
After graduation from Shepherd, Jerry married his high school sweetheart, Doris L. Snyder, of Martinsburg. Just one week earlier, he was hired by Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Corp., taking them to Hartford, Connecticut. During his time there he worked on designing critical components for NASA projects. While in Connecticut, Jerry was very active as an EMT, Boy Scout leader, and earned two engineering degrees, mechanical and chemical. His hobbies included collecting and displaying HO gauge model trains, and he was very much interested in Native American culture including making his own headdress and traditional clothing and dancing at many Pow Wows. After Pratt and Whitney, he worked in Illinois for Molex, LLC as a mechanical engineer, designing connector systems found in household products, as well as healthcare equipment, and vehicle designs and applications.
Jerry and Doris were both active members of Grace Pointe Church for many years.
In addition to his parents, Jerry was predeceased by his younger brother, James (Jim) Allen Howard, in 2008.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Doris, and their four children, Jim Howard (Margaret) of Annapolis, MD, David Howard (Denise) of Illinois, Sheri Howard Smith (Don) of Nevada and Tim Howard (Dawn) of Indiana, 13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and his sister, Judy (Howard) Pitzer (Ned) of Shepherdstown, and sisters-in-law, Joanna Snyder of Martinsburg and Edith Snyder of Martinsburg.
A private ceremony and interment will be held at a later date.