Earl Leroy Howser
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Earl Leroy “Lee” Howser. He left this world on May 20, 2024, just a few days before his birthday of May 31. A truly remarkable soul, Lee was a community leader, a man whose generosity knew no bounds, and a loving father. “He was a kind and generous dad, far beyond what his children deserved!” his daughter, Julie, lovingly said.
Lee married Norma Jane Amos in 1957. They were married for 64 years when Norma passed in 2021. Their three children, Christopher Lee, of Traverse City, Steven Daniel, of Jackson, and Julie Ann, of Charlotte, survive him, along with grandchildren, Ryan, Nathan, Michael, and Addison. Three great-grandchildren, Xander, Avery, and Ryleigh, complete the Howser family.
Lee came from very humble beginnings but bettered himself through education along the way. After his high school graduation, where he was salutatorian, he was recruited to play basketball at Lincoln University in Missouri. He then attended Missouri University, where he received his master’s degree, and later his Ph.D. at Michigan State University.
In his early days he was a television personality on KRCG-TV in Missouri. In 1964 he taught school and was the head basketball coach in Jefferson City, Missouri. Lee served as the president of Jackson Community College from 1993-2001, and the Howser Child Development Center at JCC was named after Lee and Norma when he retired. He was instrumental in the creation of the center, in order to provide single mothers with safe and free childcare to give them the opportunity to seek better employment.
Lee Howser accomplished much in life. He worked with General Colin Powell, for instance, on his “Promise to Youth Alliance,” a program to improve the life of America’s at-risk youth. He helped establish Michigan Education Foundations at Jackson Community College and later at Charlotte Public Schools, raising millions of dollars. Working with astronauts McDivitt, Worden, and Lousma, he helped found the Michigan Space Center in Jackson. Lee founded the Jackson Enterprise Group, an economic development model. He served as president and chairman of the Jackson United Way. He actively supported many non-profit organizations, such as the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, the Shakespeare Festival, the Jackson Balloon Festival, the Ella Sharp Museum, the American Cancer Society, the Courthouse Square Museum, and many more.
On a fun note, each year Lee enjoyed Halloween at his daughter’s “Halloween House” in Charlotte, Michigan. He loved interacting with people and talking to the children. He would dress up to greet them at the door, sometimes as Elvis, other times as a spider.
With a love for animals, the Howser home was a sanctuary for various furry friends brought home by his children as they were growing up; “It didn’t matter what you dragged home, or where you found it, a lost animal was always welcome. You knew you could take it to the vet and Dad would pay.”
Lee will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His spirit lives on in the countless lives he touched and the legacy of kindness and compassion he leaves behind. As we mourn his loss, we should also celebrate the incredible life he lived and the positive impact he had on the world around him.
You are encouraged to share memories of Lee on his tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com, or by attending memorial services to honor Lee’s life. The memorial will be held on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. A visitation will be held just prior to the service from 1-3:00 p.m. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Lee’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Howser Child Development Center through the Jackson College Foundation. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.