Gaynor Howell

Jr. M.D.Marshall Gaynor Howell Jr., M.D. with great sorrw his family announced his passing on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012. He passed unexpectedly in the presence of family and friends at Methodist Hospital in Henderson, Ky.Gaynor, affectionately known as Big Daddy, by family and friends, touched many lives during his 75 years. He was born Oct. 4, 1937 in Chattanooga, to Marshall Gaynor Howell, Sr and Elizabeth Wilkerson Howell. He graduated from The McCallie School in 1955. He attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for his undergraduate studies and received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Medical School in Memphis. In 1961, Gaynor married Barbara Louise Burkhardt, a UT nursing graduate from Knoxville. They served in the Air Force in Grand Forks, North Dakota after his internship and went on to an obstetrics and gynecology residency at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Following his postgraduate studies, Barbara and Gaynor moved to Henderson, Ky., where he practiced obstetrics and gynecology from 1966 until his retirement in 1996. His partners were Joe McGruder M.D., A.D. Sprague M.D., Jorge Cardenal, M.D., Dennis Owen M.D., Marcia Cave M.D. and Marshall G. Howell III M.D.. Louise Buckman worked with Dr. Howell as his office nurse for over 25 years. In his professional career, Gaynor tirelessly served our community and Methodist Hospital, delivering thousands of our children and serving as a leader of the medical staff.Since his retirement, Gaynors energy was poured into his family and service to his Lord as a deacon of Hendersons First Baptist Church and with the Salvation Army. As a transplant to Kentucky, he was a huge Wildcat fan. His love of politics and fast cars was legendary.Gaynor is survived by his wife of 51 years, Barbara; his children Ellie Coursey, of Henderson, Dr. Marshall Howell of Henderson and Sarah Jenkins, of Prosper, Texas; son-in-law, Marty Coursey; daughter-in-law, Dr. Jennifer Howell, and son-in-law, Stephen Jenkins. His beloved grandchildren are Lily Coursey, Marty Coursey, Jr., Marshall G. Howell IV, Jackson N. Howell, Davis M. Howell, Katherine Jenkins, Millie Jenkins and Jake Jenkins. Also survived by his Aunt Mary Alice Wilson, of Chattanooga, and cousins: Judy Ellington, of Chattanooga, Maureen Ward, of Lakewood, Ga., Jean Smallwood, of Huntsville, Ala., Rev. Joe Parrish, of New York City; Charlie Parrish, of Sand Pointe, Idaho, Bobby Parrish, of Albany, Ga., Julie Gasbarri, of Half Moon Bay, Calif., Steve Kirby, of Sand Pointe, Idaho, Scott Kirby, of Yorba Linda, Calif., and Jerry Kirby, of McKinney, Texas.Gaynor loved his Lord, his family and his community. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing this great man.Visitation will be at Benton Glunt Funeral Home today Nov. 2, 2012, from 2 until 8 p.m. and again from 9:30 a.m. until the memorial service at Hendersons First Baptist Church at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Gaynors name to the First Baptist Church, the Salvation Army and the Henderson Regional Hospital Foundation.Arrangements entrusted to Benton-Glunt Funeral Home, online condolences may be made at www.bentonglunt.com.