Howard Lee Lavert
February 12, 1946 - March 3, 2006
Obituary
Howard was born on February 12, 1946 in Vancouver, Washington. He was the second of three children born to Alphonzo and Margrett Lavert, formerly of Bivens, Texas. Howard moved to Seattle at 2 years of age. He was preceded in death by his father, Alphonzo Lavert.
Howard joined the Mount Zion Baptist Church as a youth and accepted God through baptism at the age of 12. He attended Stevens Elementary, Meany Jr. High, and Garfield High School with many of the same students. Howard enjoyed his high school years where he was involved with the school newspaper, the Boys’ Club and many other school activities. He graduated in 1964 and immediately enrolled in college.
Howard attended Wiley College in Marshall, Texas and Seattle University. During the summer of his junior year while attempting to earn money for college, he joined the Seattle Fire Department in 1967 and remained there for 25 years. During that time, he also joined the Air Force National Guard, 215th GEEIA Squadron, served for six years in Everett, Washington and a tour in Ramstein, Germany, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant.
During his Fire Department career, Howard served in virtually every major division including operations, administration, training, and emergency medical services. Between the years 1978-1992, he rose from Firefighter, to Paramedic, to Lieutenant, to Captain. He felt that the Fire Department was a unique and rich experience.
He was a life member and held office in several organizations: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Secretary of Seattle Black Firefighters Association, Treasurer of Martin Luther King Jr. #65 Masonic Lodge, International Association of Firefighters and Seattle Fire Department Officer’s Association.
Howard was married once and had one child, a son Jerod Allen Lavert, who survives him. He spent many years enjoying his favorite pastimes of bid whist, tennis and reading a new book every other week. His passion in life was keeping up with the exploits of the Seattle Mariners.
In addition to his son Jerod and his daughter-in-law Inderjit, Howard leaves to mourn a very close knit family that include his Mother Margrett, sister Ruby and brother-in-law Hal Reasby of Las Vegas, Nevada, and sister Barbara Lavert of Seattle. Also mourning his passing are aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of other relatives and friends in more than 6 states. Howard will be missed by his extended families from childhood which include the Lewis, Brooks, Small, Harris families.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to:
Howard L. Lavert Scholarship Fund
c/o Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 3063
Seattle, WA 98114-3063
Memorial Services will be held:
Saturday, March 11, 2006
11:00 AM
Mount Zion Baptist Church
1634 19th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122
206 322-6500
Jerod and Family, I would like to express my deepest sympathy for your loss in this time of sorrow. My prayers are with you and your family. Take Care and God Bless.
My heartfelt sympathies to Howard’s mother, Margarett, his son Jerod Inderjit, sisters Ruby Hal and Barbara, and all of his family and friends. Though your body has departed this earth, your spirit feels “closer than ever before.” Therefore, I know that you will be NEAR and dear to us always. Love eternal. Your Cousin,
Melverene Stevens Gibson