Howard was born in the coal fields of West Virginia where many members of his family worked or were otherwise involved in the coal mining business. Howard with great sacrifice by his family was the first to graduate from college. He graduated from Morris Harvey College in Charleston, West Virginia. He taught high school mathematics and became a school administrator. He retired from the Jacksonville, Florida, public school system. He and Lois are enjoying their retirement in sunny Florida. Howard is a member of the board and the treasurer of the Educational Community Credit Union in Jacksonville.

Lois worked as a secretary and as an adjuster.