Gerald Franklin Colvin

Obituary



Gerald was born June 9, 1939, near Jefferson, TX, and died on October 2nd, 2013 in TN. He is survived by his wife Vivian and his children Guy and Gaye and step-children Pamela Parker, Gary Howe, Don Howe, and Ross Howe and, grand-children Jason Parker, Amanda Bartlett, Nicolas Howe, Victoria Howe, Jacqueline Howe, Miranda Howe, Garrett Howe, and Paul Howe.

Gerald completed grades 1-7 in the Olla-StandardElementary School, and grade 8 at LaSalleParishHigh School where his classmates chose him class favorite and president. After his baptism into the Seventh-DayAdventistChurch following tent meetings, he completed four years of secondary studies at OzarkAcademy, where he graduated valedictorian and class president. He then received a scholarship to SouthwesternJunior College, where he graduated student body president and valedictorian. Later at UnionCollege he was voted senior class president and awarded High Distinction with triple majors in English, History, and Religion.

Gerald’s initial teaching posts were at OzarkAcademy 1961-66, UnionCollege 1967-70, La Sierra College 1970-72, and Southern Adventist University, commencing in1972 as chair of behavioral sciences. He later served as dean of graduate studies and research at Walla WallaCollege, as well as Assistant dean of graduate education at AshlandUniversity, Vice-President for Academic Affairs at SouthwesternAdventistUniversity, and as director of counseling services at several two-year institutions. He also completed doctorates at the University of Arkansas in administration and the University of Georgia in psychology as a Regent’s Scholar. A career high was his stint as superintendent of the Etowah K-8 Public School District.

From an early age Gerald showed an interest in writing, starting with a VFW contest for fourth graders on “Why I’m glad to be an American.” The principal tempered Gerald’s thrill at winning by reminding everyone his was the only entry. Nevertheless, He continued as the 4H-Club reporter, later devoting a semester paper on Longfellow’s Evangeline. After considering a copy-editing post at the Pacific Press he thought it more exciting to stick with teaching. However, he continued perfecting his craft by serving as faculty sponsor of the school paper, contributing editor to the Journal of Adventist Education, and as a member of the editorial board for American Secondary Education. His poem books include Days of Lilacs and Now Will I Sing--as well as a 34-chapter unpublished religious manuscript hiding somewhere inside his Toshiba.

Finally, during select moments of exalted bliss, whether painting or writing poetry or digesting literary masterpieces or blending gospel chords on an antiquated tube-type Hammond organ with rotating Leslie speakers, Gerald claims to have sensed the transcendent rush of angel wings.


Memorial Service Details
3:00 PM
Saturday, October 12th, 2013
Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church
Collegedale, Tennessee