Ken was raised in Kinston, NC before moving to Wilmington, NC where he graduated from Hoggard High School. He was fiercely loyal to his UNC-Chapel Hill alma mater.
Always a sports guy, Ken competed in softball and basketball before he embraced his lifelong passion for golf in high school. He played on the golf team in school and continued to squeeze in 18, or 27 or 36 holes whenever he was able. Whether it was golf, trivia, ping pong, foosball, cards, pool... Ken did everything he loved to excess!
He began his career in restaurants at the age of 19, with 21 years of management with Tuesday's/Annabelle's Restaurant in Wilmington and other locations before settling down in Hickory, NC for 13 years with his wife, and soon welcoming his beloved daughter there. Ken then moved on to 28 more years of management with Raffery's and Double Dogs Restaurants in Charlotte and Knoxville, where he continued leading until the day he died.
Ken cherished and was cherished by his wife, his family, his dogs, and most of all, his daughter Ashley. He was a loving husband, father, brother and son. He also had great affection for his work families, his friends, old and new and the customers he met along the way. For all who knew him best, his loss is immeasurable.
Preceded in death by his mother, Marion Swain Howerin; his father, James Jacob Howerin; and his sister, Katherine Howerin Peralta, Ken is survived by his wife of 41 years, Fern McDonald Howerin; daughter, Ashley Joyce Howerin; and brother, Keith Garret Howerin (Jacki).
A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday May 07, 2022 at 2:00 pm at McEwen Funeral Home in Pineville NC.
