Harold C. Byler, Jr. was raised in Brady, Texas, where he was a projectionist at the three Brady theatres while he attended High School. He graduated from Brady High School in 1946.

He is an engineering graduate of Texas A&M and was an intelligence officer in the Korean War. He taught physics at Syracuse University for five years.

He retired from management at G.E. after 20 years, was a stock broker in N.Y., spent 15 years as a professional gambler, designed circle-track racecars, taught tennis, traveled the world in small sailboats, and lectured on cruise ships for five years.

He has authored 23 books since retiring to Brady in 1995 with his wife of 62 years, Janice. He writes a regular newspaper column.