Gerald Finger Howard

Gerald Finger Howard, age 87, of Denver, NC, passed away February 10, 2021, peacefully in his home.  A Denver native, Gerald was born January 27, 1934, son of Key and Faulabelle Hager Howard.  He worked his entire 37 year long career at Duke Energy and retired in 1989 as a maintenance supervisor.  Gerald was an Army veteran and served in the Korean War from 1953 through 1955.

Gerald was known for his love of family.  For the past several years he was a devoted caregiver for his wife of 64 years until he needed care himself.  He was involved in many aspects of his children’s and granddaughter’s lives.  Over the years as his only grandchild was growing up, he was her number one fan when playing softball with her Denver Dazzle and East Lincoln school teams.  He enjoyed watching the sunrise over Lake Norman and relished the wildlife around his home, particularly a great blue heron that came to roost on his deck each morning.  He owned a vacation home on the North Carolina coast and became an avid fisherman, both in the surf and at sea.  He was a wonderful cook and could make any plant thrive.  Gerald loved watching old westerns and Carolina Panthers football.

Gerald is survived by his wife Iola Robinette Howard; son Greg Howard; daughters Jan Phillips and her husband Andy, and Amy Buss and her husband Rick; and his beloved granddaughter Casey Dacus.  Gerald also had a wonderful extended family which includes the Phillips, Starken, Robinette, Dacus, Cloninger and Abernethy families.  

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Treena Crumbley, Beth Robinson and the caregivers of Stress Free Home Care who provided loving support as his health declined.

A service to celebrate his life will be private.  Memorials may be sent to Hospice & Palliative Care of Lincoln County, 900 Dontia Drive, Lincolnton, NC, 28092.

The Good Samaritan Funeral Home assisted the Howard Family.