Obituaries of C Howard Kast and Jason Lee White
December 11, 1921 ~ January 26, 2023
Howard was born in Ft. Dodge, Iowa December 11, 1921, the only child of Charles and Ethel Kast and moved to Winterset, Iowa where he grew up. Howard graduated from Winterset High School, exceling in both band and baseball (he once squared off with Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller). In 1939, Howard enlisted in the army, serving his country as a tank driver and paratrooper. He was deployed with the Japanese invasion force and was one of the first GIs to land on Japanese soil. Howard rarely mentioned WWII, but it was clear he understood that preserving democracy was paramount. Returning home, Howard attended Drake University, hitchhiking daily from Winterset to Des Moines for class. Post college, Howard worked at the Des Moines Register newspaper in the sports department and loved listening to Ronald Reagan broadcast baseball games at night.
In 1946, Howard met the love of his life Rose Bosovich at the Val-Air Ballroom in West Des Moines, Iowa. After a night of dancing, he escorted her home on the street car (afterword wondering how he would ever get home!). Howard decided early in his courtship, he would never find a better partner. Rose, who survives Howard, cherishes the memories of their 78-year marriage.
Having found a dynamic spouse, Howard began to build an impressive career in the field of accounting. He went to work as a CPA for Haskins & Sells (which eventually become Deloitte) in Chicago with the understanding that he would transfer to Denver, where he had spent time during the war at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital. Howard had taken one look at the mountains, and knew one day Colorado would be home. Embracing the West, Howard took to the ski slopes, becoming a life-long promoter of the sport. In 1969, he was appointed to the Winter Park Board of Directors which oversaw the Winter Park Ski Area. Happily settled in Colorado, Howard focused on his career at Deloitte. He rose from a raw staff accountant to Partner, to Partner in charge of the Denver Office, to Partner in Charge of the Western United States and finally to Vice Chairman and Partner in Charge of the United States – quite a career. Upon retiring he became a director of Holly Sugar Corporation and Oppenheimer Mutual Funds and worked with many Denver based businesses including Bank Western and JD Edwards Corp (now a part of Oracle).
During his career, Howard prioritized investing in civic and professional organizations. He was CFhairman of the Colorado Society of CPAs, President of the Colorado Board of Accountancy, Rocky Mountain District Governor of Rotary International and Chairman of the Denver United Way (during the 1970-71 campaign, the first year they raised over $2 million). Howard also worked very closely with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, the Denver Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Salvation Army, YMCA of the Rockies and Colorado Christian University where he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree, (just to name a few).
Despite all his accomplishments, Howard never forgot his key partnership with Rose. They dedicated themselves to creating a family and were proud parents and forever dedicated to their three children, Peter (married to Penny), David (married to Dolly) and Carol (married to Stuart). They reveled in their roles as grandparents of 5 and great-grandparents of 9, all of whom survive him. Howard loved a great family trip. In 1979, he had the idea to take the family to Hawaii for Christmas. What a time. He packed more into two weeks than you can imagine--everyone had to take a vacation when they got home. Happily, the Kast family trip to Hawaii lives on today.
The story of Howard’s life would not be complete without the mention of the Lord. Howard’s Christian faith was the center of his life. He spent many hours in service to others and set a beautiful example of how to live a Christian life. In 1987, Billy Graham came to Denver for a crusade and asked Howard to be the Chairman of the event. Howard accepted with some trepidation, but managed to raise the funds needed and it turned out to be a very successful crusade. Afterward Billy asked Howard to be on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Board of Directors of which he was still a member as a trustee emeritus.
Ultimately, Howard lived a large life, but cherished the small moments. He most enjoyed time spent with family and friends as well as his nightly bowl of chocolate ice cream. His great sense of humor always made him a wonderful man to be around. He was very humble and would have been the first to admit – It’s been quite a ride.
A Memorial Service was held at 2:00 PM February 28, 2023 in the chapel at Covenant Village of Westminster, 9153 Yarrow Street, Westminster, CO 80021.
April 14, 1980 ~ January 27, 2023
Jason Lee White, 42, passed away on January 27, 2023. He was born on April 14, 1980 in Aurora, CO. He attended Mullen High School and upon graduation he joined the US Navy on August 4, 1998 and was Honorably discharged on February 2, 2001. Jason lived in the Denver Metro area and worked in the casino industry. He is survived by his father, Frank (Jan), Daughter Jennifer Douglas (Matt), stepsisters Theresa Anuszewski (Bill), Kathryn Lawless (Dave), Deborah Thibault (Shane), stepfather Tom Wilkes, stepbrothers Thomas Wilkes (Sharon), Zachary Wilkes, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother Joan Wilkes.