Jack Arthur Howell was born in 1916 to Arthur Howell and Ethel May Howell (Craig) on their farm in Pleasant Valley, Saskatchewan. In 1939, in Ethelton, Jack married Anne. They had three children: Garry, Keith, and Glen. The Howell family farmed in the Pleasant Valley region. Jack also took an active role in the Melinda School District #320 where he was a trustee.

Ernest Albert Howes was the Dean of the College of Agriculture at the University of Alberta.