Jerry Ray Howard, was born on October 27, 1939, in Hot Springs, AR, the first child of Louis and Catherine (Jones) Howard. He was later joined by 5 other siblings: Hattie Louise, Vernon Maurice (deceased), Julia Ann Yvonne (deceased), Lawrence Joseph (deceased), and Emily Ruth. He grew up with a love for a variety of activities including fishing, drawing, comic books, and especially boxing and football. After the untimely death of his father, 12 year old Jerry took on a key leadership role in his family, dutifully supporting both his mother Catherine and his grandmother, Hattie Waterford, who raised him and his siblings in a loving Christian environment. Despite the hardships and injustices faced by southern African-Americans during the Jim Crow era, these two women tirelessly cultivated an environment of love, family pride, laughter, unity, and hard work for their children. Jerry also relished his time with his uncle, Vernon Canady, who was a constant mentor and role-model. Jerry excelled at football and played the trumpet during his days at Langston High School, graduating in 1959.

Upon graduation, Jerry's adventurous spirit led him to travel and explore new areas as he worked in cities such as Denver, Colorado, and Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1963, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served for 5 years in Europe and completed his service to his country in 1969 with an honorable discharge as Sergeant First Class. During his tour of duty in Paris, France, he met a beautiful young Grenadian nursing student named Erva Ursula Maitland who was studying in England. After a whirlwind courtship, the two were later married at the Hanson Place SDA Church in Brooklyn, NY. They then moved to Detroit, MI where they settled on the Northwest side of the city. Over the next decade, they were blessed with the birth of two sons, Jerry II (Ray) and Andre' (Andy) and created a Christian environment of joy, laughter, and discipline as a firm foundation for growth for the boys. They stressed the importance of family, education and the idea that there were no limits to what one could achieve with hard work and a belief in God.

Jerry's sons were his pride and joy. Though Jerry exhibited a free-spirited, jovial countenance for his boys, he made it clear through loving discipline that a high behavioral standard and proper reputation were the only option for the Howard boys.  He was a strong advocate for higher education and controlling one's own destiny through business ownership.  He also facilitated an environment in which family, friends, and neighbors were always welcome, tacitly instilling a strong feeling of community for the boys, his nieces and nephews, close friends and his neighbors.

Throughout his lifetime, Jerry had a number of vocational interests. He spent time in a variety of industries including fine dining, security, transportation services, real estate, and automotive assembly.  He completed his Associate's degree at Highland Park Community College and went on to study finance at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (U of M) during the late 1980's. During his time at U of M, he thoroughly enjoyed the academically stimulating environment in Ann Arbor and found himself enmeshed in a warm multigenerational community at the Ypsilanti SDA Church wherein he made a number of like-minded scholars and friends.

With a smile that would light up a room, Jerry was often the "life of the party" in any social environment that he was in. Those who knew him best also perceived  him as a dedicated friend who would give what he could, whenever he could-whether it be a few dollars, a high-quality birthday or Christmas gift, a ride to work, a hand with car repair, some wise advice or a hot meal. In fact, family and friends often enjoyed the expression of his wonderful gift for culinary arts, where he would deliberately create mouthwatering dishes almost effortlessly and was a master on the barbecue grill.

Although a stroke later in life limited some of his extraordinary capabilities, he continued to exhibit one of his most noble traits—the tenacity to continue to fight even when he felt he lacked the strength. Such resilience allowed him to enjoy a number of family visits and milestone birthdays, most recently his 80th birthday where he was surrounded by his loving and adoring children and grandchildren.

On the morning of July 29, 2020, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Lord allowed Jerry to transition to his rest from his earthly journey as he awaits the first resurrection, when Christ returns to this earth to reunite us with him (1 Thes. 4:16-18). As we await this great heavenly reunion, Jerry leaves to continue his legacy: his sons, Jerry II (Sylvette) and Andre' (Colleen), grandchildren Mia Simone, Jerry III, and Jamison Anthony, sisters Hattie (Herman) Braxton and Emily (Alonzo Jr.) Cooper, brother-in-law, Pastor Joseph P. Lewis I; nieces and nephews: Kathy Braxton, Tamara Cooper (Jamec) Blue, Alonzo Cooper III, Joseph P. Lewis II and Kathleen Lewis; grandniece and grandnephews: Jordyn Braxton, Alonzo Cooper IV,  Sirintos Cooper, and Christian Blue, the Lewis Family, Canady Family, Waterford Family, Purefoy Family, Crawford Family, Nelson Family, Barclay Family, Maitland Family, church family members, extended family members, and a host of friends.

The guest registry is at http://www. carriganmemorial.com

"OBITUARY DONE AS A COURTESY  FOR THE HOWARD FAMILY"