Dr. Jerry F. Howell, Jr., 68, of Whitaker Street, Morehead, Kentucky, Professor Emeritus of Biology and founder of Morehead State University-s environmental science program, passed away Tuesday, October 20, 2009, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. He was born October 18, 1941, in McDowell, Kentucky, and was the only child of the late Jerry F. Howell, Sr., and Buena Ramsey Howell. Jerry is the husband of Lois Taylor Howell, also a retired MSU faculty member, whom he wed August 25, 1963. He is also lovingly remembered by several Howell cousins, Taylor family members, and a multitude of friends and colleagues. Dr. Howell graduated from the Kentucky Military Institute in Louisville, Kentucky. However, the students of McDowell High School in Floyd County -adopted- Jerry as a member of their class. For many years he has attended the Class of 1958 reunions. Dr. Howell received an undergraduate degree from Eastern Kentucky University and graduate degrees in forestry and land management from North Carolina State University. He earned the PhD. in Ichthyology from the University of Tennessee. Dr. Howell came to MSU in 1972 as director of the environmental education center. Under his leadership, environmental science became one of the most popular undergraduate degrees at the University. He later served as chair of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, started the MSU Water Testing Laboratory, and helped introduce environmental education into the statewide public school curriculum in Kentucky. Dr. Howell was among the organizers of the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE) and also held leadership roles in numerous professional organizations. He retired from MSU in 1997 after 25 years of full-time service. For several years, Dr. Howell wrote a newspaper column on environmental issues, entitled -Our Fragile Earth,- which was syndicated to newspapers and other publications in East Kentucky and beyond. He also raised money for several community and charitable causes and with his father co-founded a scholarship endowment to help students in Appalachia attend college. That endowment is now managed by the Christian Appalachian Project. Dr. Howell served on the St. Claire Regional Medical Center Board of Directors for several years. He was currently serving as a Board Member of Investors Heritage Insurance Company and Board Member of the Christian Appalachian Project. He was also a member of several investment clubs. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Sunday, October 25, 2009, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel with Dr.Gerald DeMoss, Dr. G. Ronald Dobler, and Bill Mills, a Christian Appalachian Board Member, officiating. Burial will follow in Lee Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jerry Franklin, Alex Gnilka, Phillip Gnilka, Jeff Grubb, Matt Hall, Chris Hall, Shaun Howell, David Taylor. Visitation is Saturday, October 24, 2009, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, October 25, 2009, from noon until 1 p.m. at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals, 400 Fraley Drive, Morehead, KY 40351. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Christian Appalachian Project, 2610 Palumbo Drive, Lexington, KY 40509 Visitation: Saturday, October 24, 2009, 7-9 p.m.; Sunday, noon-1p.m. Funeral: Sunday, October 25, 2009, at 1 p.m. Interment: Lee Cemetery