Gary E. Howland

Related Photos

GaryHowland.2.jpg
GaryHowland.1.jpg

Discussion

January 11, 2013

Gary E. Howland

Published 1-12-13

Anonymous Enid News and Eagle The Enid News and Eagle Fri Jan 11, 2013, 11:42 PM CST

ENID, Okla. — Math and Science Instructor at College of the Sequoias.

Gary E. Howland passed away in the early morning of Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013. He was born May 5, 1938, in Anthony, Kan., across the state line from Wakita, Okla., where he grew up on his family’s wheat farm that still produces today.

At Gore High School in Wakita, he played all sports and was Valedictorian of his graduating class.

He earned a National Science Award Scholarship to Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

At Northwestern, he was on the Dean’s List, served as Junior Class Vice President, Senior Class Treasurer and earned a double major bachelor degree in math and physics with a minor in geology. He also earned his education degree from Northwestern, while student teaching at Blackwell High School in Blackwell, Okla.

A highlight from Gary’s time at Northwestern included a meeting with a 29-year-old Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1958. As President of the college’s Wesley Foundation Chapter, Gary attended a panel discussion, where Dr. King was the headline speaker. Gary described the experience as inspiring and said Dr. King’s exceptional charisma filled the room.

In early 1959, Gary met his future wife, Laurita Lash at a friend’s picnic at Salt Plains, near Jet, Okla. On Aug. 28, 1960, Gary and Laurita married.

After earning his education degree, Gary taught 7th and 8th grade, while coaching football and basketball in Carmen, Okla., from 1960 to 1963. While at Carmen, Gary won a National Science Foundation Award that included a full scholarship at New Mexico Highlands University. He, Laurita, and their 1-year old daughter Carrie moved to New Mexico, where Gary earned a master’s degree in natural science. After graduation, Gary taught math and science at Palo Verdes College in Blythe, Calif., from 1964 to 1967.

In the fall of 1967, Gary joined the faculty at College of the Sequoias in Visalia, Calif., where he taught for 37 years, including most summers.

He taught physics, all math courses, astronomy, geology, ecology, biology, and physical science.

He was head of the math and science department for three years during his tenure.

Gary also served a year as President of the College of the Sequoias Teachers Association and provided leadership on several committees.

Students selected Gary Teacher of the Year in 1981-82 in appreciation of his outstanding service.

A few years after his son, Steven Howland, began teaching in the English department at C.O.S., Gary retired in 2003.

Gary enjoyed watching Oklahoma and Kansas football. He also had high hopes for the Fresno State Bulldogs in their most recent bowl game in Hawaii. His hobbies included playing music, fishing, welding, rock hunting and exploring the outdoors during camping trips throughout the western United States.

Gary was an avid photographer, and his family enjoyed viewing the slides that documented their outdoor adventures. He adorned his office with photos of vintage aircraft he took when visiting air shows with his family.

Gary is survived by his wife of 52 years, Laurita (Lash) Howland; daughter, Carrie Howland Tyler and husband Tim Tyler; son, Steven E. Howland and wife Betsy Hughes Howland; two grandchildren, Owen and Olivia Howland; sister, Judith Howland Jones of Hewitt, Texas; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family gathered for a private service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gary Howland Math and Science Scholarship, 915 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia, CA 93277.

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 732-8371.

(Submitted by family)

ꆱ

Text Only

Death Notices

Marlene Elaine Davis
Graveside service for Mrs. Marlene Elaine Davis, 79, of Lahoma, will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2013, in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Lahoma, with Pastor Eric Brown officiating under the kind guidance of Stittsworth Funeral Service.
She was born in Lahoma on Nov. 12, 1933, to Gilbert and Elna (Holz) Moehle and passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2013, in Enid.
As a child, Marlene was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Lahoma.
After completing the Lutheran school, Marlene graduated from Lahoma High School and attended nursing school at Bass Hospital in Enid.
She married Donald Davis.

May 20, 2013 1 Photo
Mary I. 'Jean' Koch
Memorial service for Jean Koch, 73, of Perry, Okla., will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at Church of Christ, Perry. Private family burial in Grace Hill Cemetery. Arrangements by Brown-Dugger Funeral Home, Perry. Visitation with family 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Mary was born May 28, 1939, in Success, Ark., to James E. and Lucile (Keelin) Flanigan and died Sunday, May 18, 2013, in Perry.

May 20, 2013
Thomas Ross Owens
Memorial service for Thomas Ross Owens, 71, of Enid, will be 11 a.m. Friday, May 24, 2013, at Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel. Arrangements by Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.
Thomas was born March 17, 1942, in Muldrow, Okla., to James and Nezzie Carter Owens and died Saturday, May 18, 2013, in Enid.
Surviving are son, Thomas Owens Jr. of Enid; daughters, Carole Ford of Red Bluff, Calif., Kristi Patricio of Sonora, Calif., and Irene Owens of Shawnee; seven grandchildren; and his siblings.

May 20, 2013
Mary (Ball) Boren
Funeral service for Mary Boren, 56, formerly of Waynoka, will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at Elm Grove Community Church, with Pastor Orville White officiating. Burial will be in Elm Grove Cemetery, directed by Redinger Funeral Home, Seiling.
She died Monday, May 20, 2013, at Midwest City Regional Hospital.

May 20, 2013
Marie Brandt
Memorial service for Marie Brandt, 90, will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at First Baptist Church, Bethany. Arrangements by Mercer-Adams Funeral Service, Bethany, Okla.
Marie was born Dec. 24, 1922, in Guthrie, Okla., to Jewett S. Sr. and Gladys Grace (Wicker) Scott and died Sunday, May 19, 2013. She married Ben Brandt in June 1946.
Preceded by husband, Ben, and one sister.
Surviving are children, Becky Butler, Ben Brandt Jr., Beverly Graham and Beth Pershall; brothers, Jewett Scott Jr.; sisters, Judy Smith and Jill Talley; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

May 20, 2013
Charlie Lee Leedom Porter
Funeral for Charlie Porter, 85, of Fay, Okla., will be 10 a.m. today, May 21, 2013, at the Methodist Church in Fay. Burial in Liberty Cemetery, Fay. Arrangements by Wilkinson Mortuary, Watonga.
Charlie was born Dec. 26, 1927, near Hinton, Okla., to A.W. and Edna Hamilton Leedom and died Friday, May 17, 2013.
She married John Henry Porter in March 1948.
Preceded by husband, John, one son and one brother.

May 20, 2013
Wayne A. Leamon
Service pending with Wharton Funeral Chapel, Alva.

May 20, 2013
Sue Ann Graham
Funeral service for Sue Ann Graham, 60, will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at Enid First Assembly of God Church with Pastor Dan Barrick, Mr. Steve Dow and Mr. David White officiating.

May 20, 2013 1 Photo
Tamara Austin
There will be a private family memorial service at a later date for Tamara Austin, 43-year-old Enid resident.

May 20, 2013
Mary Boyer
Memorial service for Mary Boyer, 66, of Enid, will be at 1 p.m. Monday, May 20, 2013, at Brown-Cummings Funeral Home Chapel.

May 19, 2013 1 Photo
More Death Notices Headlines

Death Notices

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

Gary E. Howland

Published 1-12-13

Site Map

Contact Us