Howard served as a SSGT in the United States Air Force (USAF) with the 361 TEWS (Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron) in Vietnam during 1968-1969 as a Crew Chief on an EC-47 Skytrain aircraft. After returning home, he obtained a BS Degree in Electrical Engineering Operational Maintenance  from North Carolina State University and proceeded to serve in this field for 37 years with a major NC electric utility and the NC State Utilities Commission Public Staff Electric Division before retiring in 2013. He now resides in Wake Forest, North Carolina with his wife Ann and is very active with the local VFW Post 8466 and the Wake Forest Purple Heart Foundation. He enjoys photography, traveling and spending time at their home in North Topsail Beach, North Carolina.