Lester was born in Pine Mountain, Kentucky to Maude Marie (nee Bailey) and Benjamin Franklin Howard, Sr. on September 9, 1939. He is survived by his sons Lester Howard, Jr., William Howard and Jason Howard; his grandchildren Josh, Rachael, Hubert, Maddie, David and Gabriel; and siblings Ada Howard, Lois Flickenger, Linda (the late Gary) Embs, Ben (Mary Howard) and Violet (Ron) Fields. He is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Miller Howard, Walter Howard, Paul Howard, Raymond Howard, Denzil Howard, Mary Jane Howard and Irene Fredrick.