Phil T. Howard's Obituary
Retired Lt. Colonel, Phil T. Howard, 79, of Cornelius went to be with Jesus on September 4, 2023, surrounded by his family after battling Frontotemporal Lobe Dementia. Phil was born on November 26, 1943 in Mecklenburg County to the late Jack Howard and Daisy Pender Howard.
After graduating from North Mecklenburg High School in 1962, where he met and fell in love with Elaine, Phil and his new bride moved to Raleigh where he attended North Carolina State University. After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Engineering in 1967, Phil immediately entered the Air Force as an officer for a distinguished 21 year career.
Phil traveled to Patrick Air Force Base,Florida to begin his active duty as an engineer in Research and Development and waited for Elaine and 6 day old Jennifer to arrive to begin their military career as a family. Jeffrey soon came along while Phil continued his duty as an Electronic Engineer and Commander. Phil’s strong desire to fly planes took him and his family all across the country being stationed at various bases and military schools, including Pilot Training, KC-135 Combat Crew school, Jungle and Water Survival Schools, Air War College, and Air Command and Staff College. Along the way, he earned his Master’s Degree in Physics from Ball State University.
Phil’s assignments included Electronic Engineer, Physicist, Air Operations Officer in Korea, Intelligence at the Pentagon, and Squadron Operations Officer at Grissom AFB, Indiana. However, his longest assignment was as a KC-135 pilot and ended his USAF career at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas as the Air Refueling Wing Squadron Commander in 1988, of which he is most proud.
Phil earned a number of awards and decorations while serving in the Air Force. He was awarded The Airman’s Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 1 oak leaf cluster, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with 4 oak leaf cluster, Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation.
Phil and Elaine moved back to Cornelius and began their post- AirForce life. Phil worked as an Electrical Engineer in the generator division for Carolina Tractor, taught math and physics as a substitute teacher for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, and eventually started his own businesses: Southern Financial Group and PT Howard’s Electric. He was active in his community, including serving as a Town Commissioner for Cornelius. Phil loved working in the church in a variety of positions including as an elder and leader of the building committee for Grace Covenant Church’s current location in Cornelius. Phil furthered the Kingdom through his ministry at Living Waters/There Is More Ministries in Balsam Grove, North Carolina, where he served as President for 6 years.
Outside of his faith and family, he loved flying the most. Not a plane would go by without him looking upward and watching for the vapor trail. Phil was a marathon runner and was often seen running before sunrise through Cornelius and Davidson carrying his “big stick”. He was a regular at the YMCA, Shomars of Huntersville, and Fresh Egg in Cornelius. Phil was often seen riding around town with his beloved Dutch Shepherd, Bear, in his old Mercedes. Phil loved visiting coffee shops in the area, often spending hours in Starbucks drinking coffee, reading his Bible with his granddaughters, and sharing Jesus to those around him.
Phil was a servant. He served his country. He served his family. He served his friends, church, and community. But above all, he served his Lord. He always said that “No Man would ever write his orders”. Phil knew that Jesus was in control of his life and He would send him where he was needed the most. On September 4th, Phil saw the Lord and He said, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
He is survived by his wife Elaine Crabb Howard of 63 years; daughter Jennifer Howard Beard and husband Brent of Cornelius; son, Jeffrey Howard and wife Kelly-Ann Howard of Kannapolis; granddaughters, Addie Beard, Emma Beard, and Lydia Howard; and brother, Michael Howard of Huntersville.
Memorials may be made to There Is More Ministries 7935 Parkway Road, Balsam Grove, NC 28708. www.thereismoreministies.com
The funeral service will be held at 11 AM Saturday, September 23 at Grace Covenant Church. Visitation will be 10-11 AM prior in the sanctuary. Burial will follow in the Mt. Zion Community Cemetery. The North Mecklenburg Class of 1962 will serve as honorary pallbearers and are asked to be seated together across from the family.
James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family.
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