Kenneth Jack Howard

Kenneth Jack Howard of Plano, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at James L. West Center for Dementia in Fort Worth. TX. Howard, age 81, resided at 2405 Kentfield, in Plano Texas. His services will be held on October 20 at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas at 1:15 p.m.

Kenneth was born on March 15, 1942 in Hodge, Louisiana. His father was John Quincy Howard from Bienville, Louisiana, and his mother was Louella Walsworth of, Jonesboro, Louisiana,

Kenneth was married to Carlene Rae Fillmore in Las Vegas Nevada in 1968. His children are one daughter, Victoria Ellen Howard Leon of Mulberry, Florida, and one son, Robert William Teeters, of Plano, Texas.

Kenneth is survived by one sister, Mary Jane “Connie” Howard Sylve and her husband, Johnny Sylve, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by seven brothers, including Malcolm Howard, Mack Howard, Marvin Howard, Benard Howard, Bernam Howard, James Howard, and Shurburne Walsworth.

Having served for six years in the US. Marine Corps, Kenneth was a prisoner of war (POW) in Vietnam. Kenneth was a proud veteran and enjoyed wearing his Vietnam and Marine Corps hat in his later years. Kenneth drove a tank in Vietnam, from which he suffered an extreme hearing loss. Although Kenneth would very rarely discuss the experiences and hardships in Vietnam, he dealt with some of the effects his whole life. Kenneth could never watch realistic movies showing life in Vietnam with those close to him. Although he would not discuss life and imprisonment in Vietnam, even with his sister and children, he frequently experienced PTSD silently as a result of his experiences there.

Although Kenneth could seem gruff upon first meeting him, he was kind and sensitive. He always cared deeply for his friends and family and would do anything for a friend. Once Kenneth was in a café road stop when a man came in, flinging a gun around threatening the woman he was with. Ken matter of factly went up behind the man, took his gun away, and told him to leave.

Ken’s sister “Connie” remembers Kenneth driving her to the skating rink on his Cushman motor scooter every Saturday for years. One Christmas, Ken presented Connie with her own roller skates, which he purchased with money he earned from his paper route. Connie was not only touched, but surprised and delighted by her brother’s gift.

Kenneth ’s hobbies included wood working, motorcycles, and cars, and he adored his dogs. He was an avid sports fan, especially of the Dallas Cowboys. In December 1987, Kenneth received an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree from Dallas College.

Thanks go to Kenneth’s dear friends of almost 40 years, Drue and Royce Parker, his sister and brother-in-law, Connie and Johnny Sylve, who provided love, support, and encouragement during the last years of his life, making numerous trips to Plano and Fort Worth, TX, to plan and assist with his care.