Jack F. Bowen

Jack Francis Bowen, 87, died in his home in Victoria Monday, October 18, 2010, after an extended illness. He was born in Farmersville, Louisiana, on March 24, 1923, the second son of Delia Lyles Bowen and Clarence Parnell Bowen. Jack graduated from Alto High School in Alto, Texas, in 1939, and attended Stephen F. Austin University. He left the university to work for the U. S. Government at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, installing Norden Bomb sights in B17 airplanes. Jack then joined the United States Naval Air Corps and served as navigator aboard an Avenger torpedo bomber assigned to the USS Bonhomme Richard in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He later was stationed in Saipan in the Marianas Islands. After the war Jack returned to Stephen F. Austin where he met and married his wife, of 63 years, Peggy Childers.

Jack was employed in Houston for 20 years in the sand and gravel and ready-mix concrete business. In 1973 he joined the Fordyce Company in Victoria where he was general manager until his retirement in 2007. He was an active member of the Texas Good Roads Association, serving a two-year term as president, and the Associated General Contractors, and First Presbyterian Church.

Most important to Jack though, was his family. He loved spending time outdoor hunting and fishing with his two sons and later with his grandchildren.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ted Bowen of Houston. He is survived by his wife and sons, Jack Stephen Bowen and his wife, Kathryn, of Kerrville, and Ted Childers Bowen and his wife, Lisa, of Victoria. Also surviving are his grandson, Bradley Childers Bowen of Fort Worth, and four granddaughters, Betsy Jenkins of Tyler, Neal Meyer of Houston, Katie and Madeline Bowen of Austin, and two great-grandsons, Bowen and Henry Jenkins.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, October 22, at First Presbyterian Church in Victoria.

Pallbearers will be Charles Brossmann, Manual Gonzales, Paul Guthrie, Ted Hird, Russell Moore, Benny Moya, Jackie Schmidt, and James Shirley. Honorary pallbearers will be Van Ballard, Bruce Bauknight, M.D., William Campbell, M.D., Frank Garcia, Jr., Dale Hartman and William Murphy III.

Donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 2408 N. Navarro St., Victoria, Texas, 77901, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.