Howard Irwin (Gus) Southworth, age 82, of Big Rapids, passed away Saturday, October 13, 2007. He was born January 7, 1925 in South Bend Indiana, to Howard I. and Mary Rozela (Shaul) Southworth. Gus graduated from South Bend Central High School, where he was an active participant in sports and played basketball for legendary coach John Wooden. During WWII he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Although his training included operation of all types of heavy vehicles, including tanks, his duty was to patrol the Panama Canal on motorcycles. While in Panama he became fluent in Spanish. He was honorably discharged from service with the rank of Staff Sergeant and returned to the U.S. to continue his education. Following his service Gus attended Kalamazoo College, where he earned a Bachelors degree in Mathematics Education. He was a standout on the K College Football team, and was drafted at the end of his junior year by the New York Giants but a subsequent football injury in his senior year prevented him from ever playing professionally. While at K College, Gus met Joan Weenink. The two were married in 1949, and he completed his Bachelors of Science degree in Mathematics in 1950. Gus's first teaching position was at Cassopolis High School in southwest Michigan. During the summers, he earned a Masters degree in Education from Western Michigan University. Gus also coached football and started the Spanish curriculum at Cassopolis High. In 1954 Gus accepted a job at Big Rapids High School as an English teacher, and he moved his young family to Big Rapids. Over the years he taught English, Spanish, and Mathematics. He also spent his summers educating new drivers in the Drivers Education program. Gus's love of athletics was a key element in his career. Those who called him "Coach" were participants in the football, golf, track, and wrestling programs at Big Rapids High. An accomplished golfer recreationally, he was instrumental in starting the golf program at BRHS. He also served as the Athletic Director for several years. Gus retired from the school system after nearly 30 years of service in 1983. Always an outdoorsman, Gus and his family were members of the Mecosta County Rod & Gun Club as well as the Meceola Country Club. He loved to hunt with both rifle and bow. One year, in the woods right behind his house, Gus bagged the largest deer in Michigan with a bow and arrow. Another great passion of his was playing golf, a love Gus passed on to his children. He taught them to play golf and also participated (and won!) many tournaments with them. Combining education and his love of the outdoors, in the early 1960s, Gus pursued continuing education in mathematics at the University of Wyoming in Laramie for four summers. The family has many fond memories of camping trips traveling to and from Wyoming, particularly fishing in many streams in the western states. Gus and Joan parted in the late 1970s, though both continued to reside in the Big Rapids area. Gus and his children made trips out west, played golf, and went fishing together in the great outdoors. Soon Gus met his second wife, Betty, and they married in 1983. As physical ailments began to take their toll, Gus's life became less active. He and good friend, Howard Bale, managed to sidestep their lessened mobility in several instances when they drove into the woods to watch for deer from the car. Above all, Gus never lost his sense of humor! He is survived by his loving wife, Betty Southworth of Big Rapids; 3 children: Becky (Eric) Priebe of Saline, Mary (Mark) Waldron of Big Rapids, Tom (Vickie) Southworth of Royal Oak; 2 grandchildren: Audrey and Dean Waldron of Big Rapids; 1 step-son: Bob (Beth) Noe of Naperville, IL; 2 step-grandchildren: Adam Noe of Chicago, and Allison (Dov) Lustig of Waterford and their son Alexander. Besides his parents, Gus was preceded in death by a son, Roger Southworth, and 2 step-children, Mark and Denise Noe. Contributions in Gus's memory may be made to either: "The Big Rapids Public Schools Athletics in memory of Howard I. Southworth" or to the Mecosta County Animal Shelter. A memorial gathering will take place Tuesday, Oct. 16th at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids with the family greeting friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.