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Howard Hughes names first scholarship recipient in memory of long-term employee and community icon, Gerald D. Irons, Sr.

The Howard Hughes Corporation has recently presented a scholarship to graduating senior Kobe Brown from Oak Ridge High School. The award represents the first-ever Gerald D. Irons, Sr. scholarship in honor of the late Gerald D. Irons, Sr., who passed away April 1, 2021.

The recipient was selected from Oak Ridge High School. Gerald D. Irons, Sr. Junior High School feeds into Oak Ridge High School. Both schools serve Conroe ISD. A selection committee from Oak Ridge High School selected Brown as the recipient. He will be attending the University of Texas Arlington. Brown also attended Gerald D. Irons, Sr. Junior High School before proceeding to high school.

Mr. Irons served as an exemplary leader and volunteer of The Woodlands community for over 40 years. He had a 32-year career as Vice President of Business Development for The Woodlands Development Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Howard Hughes, and served on the Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees for nearly 22 years. He and his entire family were named as one of the original The Woodlands Hometown Heroes in 1999. Mr. Irons was a leader on the football field as well, playing 10 years in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders and Cleveland Browns.

“We are honored to present our first annual Gerald D. Irons, Sr. scholarship, which we know followed the philanthropic principles in which Gerald believed,” said Jim Carman, President – Houston Region for Howard Hughes. “Gerald’s commitment and dedication to The Woodlands was incredible, and we are proud to facilitate a scholarship in his name to a deserving graduating senior. Kobe has a bright future ahead with his academic endeavors. We thank the Irons’ family for joining us to celebrate his scholarship presentation.”

The Howard Hughes Corporation® establishes the first annual Gerald D. Irons, Sr. Scholarship awarded to Kobe Brown (center), graduating senior from Oak Ridge High School. In the photo from left to right are Lorrie Parise, Director- PR & Community Relations for Howard Hughes; Gerald Irons, Jr., Myrna Irons and Grant Irons; and Jim Carman, President – Houston Region for Howard Hughes.