Gerald Jerry Dean Howell

Gerald Dean Howell, 84, of Olathe, Kansas passed away surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, February 8, 2017. He will forever be remembered as, “Pops” a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend to everyone he met.

Jerry was born on July 6, 1932 in Pawnee Station, Kansas to Chester and Edna (Barton) Howell. He attended and graduated from Hepler High School. After graduation Jerry was drafted, he served his country honorably in the United States Army. He was a jeep mechanic during the Korean War. He met the love of his life Carol Zell on December 31, 1963. They married 13 days later on January 13, 1964 in Miami, Oklahoma. Through this union together they raised their two daughters Brenda and Debra.

Jerry moved to the Olathe area in 1965. He was a professional Greyhound Trainer. He worked alongside Keith Dillon training greyhounds to race for over thirty years before retiring in 1997. Jerry and his wife Carol raised and showed boxers. They were both dedicated members of Hillcrest Covenant Church. He was a member of the National Greyhound Association. Jerry was an avid fisherman. He enjoyed bowling, KU basketball and watching Royals baseball.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents Chester and Edna Howell, loving wife of 28 years Carol Howell who passed away on August 10, 1992. He is also preceded by his four brothers, George Howell, Clyde Howell, Don Howell, Howard Howell and two sisters, Ilene Ausemus and Ida May Kroenke.

He is survived by his two daughters, Brenda Butler and her husband Preston of Lawrence, Kansas and Debra Kempenar and her companion Barry Tribble of Gardner, Kansas. Left behind to cherish his memory are his three grandsons, Tony Kempenar, Caleb Kempenar and Ryan Hughey and his wife Marcy. He will be sadly missed by his great granddaughter Aliyah Hughey, along with his pet dogs "Getty" and "Crystal" along several nieces, nephews and extended family.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 13th at the McGilley & Frye Funeral Home 105 East Loula Street Olathe, Kansas. A private family interment will take place in Johnson County Memorial Gardens-Newcomer’s 11200 Metcalf Ave. Overland Park, Kansas. Visitation Monday one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: ALS Association or The Wounded Warriors/Homeless Veterans Program.

Condolences may be offered at www.mcgilley-frye.com

Arrangements under the direction of McGilley & Frye Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Olathe, KS.