Capt. John Henry “Jack” Bower, USMC Ret., 71, of Clearwater, FL passed away on Monday, March 16, 2009 at Morton Plant Hospital.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, he moved to Clearwater in 1993 from Springfield, VA. Jack retired from the US Marine Corps after 21 years of service. He was a veteran of Vietnam and a lifetime member of the Marine Corps League – Morris F. Dixon, Jr. Detachment. He served as Past President of the Morton Plant Caring Partners. He enjoyed traveling, hunting and fishing.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Judy; two sons, Lt. Col. John H. Bower, Jr. of New Bern, NC and CWO3 Frank T. Bower of Huntsville, AL; two brothers, William of Reisterstown, MD and Charles of Hallstead, PA; a sister, Donna Robinson of Philadelphia, PA; five grandchildren and a great granddaughter.
A memorial service will be held at 3:30 PM on Wed., March 18, 2009 at Morton Plant Hospital. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery with full Honors on Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 9:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions are made to Morton Plant Caring Partners, 300 Pinellas Street, MS 16, Clearwater, FL 33756.
A great warrior, father and mentor to many of us. Semper Fi
I love you, Jackie and all the Bowers! Y’all are such troopers:) Please trust you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this time. Safe travels.
God bless you Jack. He has called you Home and stopped your suffering. YOU WERE A GREAT RELATIVE. My thoughts go out to Judy and the boys and their families. Love, TOM
It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Mr. Bowers. I grew up with his sons John and Frank in Frackville, Pa. When we were younger and in desperate need of discipline, I can think of no greater man to instill discipline, pride and a true sense of what a young man is supposed to be than Mr. Bower. To his family, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. God bless you all. With love, Bob and Judy Dreher
Jack will certainly be missed by his friends and follow Marines. Our prayers go out to Judy and her family.God bless you all.
Wayne and Ann
My condensolences to Judy and the boys. Jack will ALWAYS have a place in my heart and mind. I’ll never forget our tour of D.C. Rest peacefully.
Wow — what a shocker! Sorry that short notice and distance did not allow us to attend the services yesterday. Judy, you and Jack were very caring as great friends and co-workers. To Jack, long remembered as a brother Marine: Semper Fi. Dan Bergbauer
Dear Judy and family
So very sorry to read about Jack. The short time I knew him when you lived in Ringtown he was truly a fine man. Please let your family know you are in my prayers.
Kathy
I only had the privilege of seeing Jack a couple of times at family occasions with Vanessa and Jason. It was obvious that he loved his family and his country. I’m thankful that Jack was a Marine who served to protect our great country and my freedom. I’m also very thankful that Vanessa had Ava, his first great-grandchild, and that Jack was a part of Ava’s life. May the Lord bring peace to you at this time.
“Think of stepping on shore and finding it heaven!
Of taking hold of a hand and finding it God’s!
Of breathing new air and finding it celestial air.
Of looking up and finding it home!”
Our hearts and prayers are with the family at this time.
Dear Judy and Family, Jack was a dear friend and will be missed greatly. We will always remember our many joyous vacations and visits to one another. Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We will always hold a place in our hearts for him.
My condensolences to the family. Jack was a great friend of the family and he will always hold and place in our hearts. I will always remember him and never forget all the fun visits. Rest in peace.
Judy, John,Frank, and family, I was saddened to hear of Jack’s passing. He was a good friend and I will always remember him. Mostly the time he fell off the jetski in Barbados. Bless you all.
You have our deepest sympathies. Dee and Dave
Judy and family, You are in our prayers and I will always be thinking of you
Aunt Judy, Your family will daily be in my prayers<3
My deepest sympathy to the family. I love and miss Jack. Thank you for sharing him with Morton Plant and me. He made my job so much easier. I will miss him every day.
To Judy and all the family:
Jack was the first DCS employee I met in 1986. I watched his moves and listened to his views of the company. In 1988 I too bacame a proud DCSer, thanks to Jack. Later, when you joined the firm, Judy, that cinched the deal and I’ve been a happy and proud employee ever since. I owe a lot to Jack for his friendship and guidance.
God speed, Jack
Steve Hatfield
Manager
Weapons Test Department
DCS Corporation
Shalimar, Florida
Judy – I deeply regret not taking up Jack’s many offer’s to visit. I am very sorry for your loss. We will see you in Virginia in June; until then, please let me know if there is ever anything I can do for you and your family. Love, Joann and Chuck
President Jack:
By your leadership and example,you were an inspiration to hospital volunteers everywhere. I enjoyed serving on the Board with you.
Don Robinson,
Driver Chairman, North Bay Hospital
Dear Judy and Family,
We were so sorry to hear of Jack’s passing. We have always tho’t so much of you both, he was a caring man. We will always remember our visits in Fl. and the good times we had togeather. The Lord be with you Judy at this time. We love you. Take care. Ron and Sandi Fetterman
SORRY THIS IS SO LATE, I SERVED WITH AND FOR JACK, I WAS WITH IN IN HAWAII WHEN HE WENT TO OFFICERS SCHOOL. THEN I WAS IN HIS ORDNANCE SHOP IN VIETNAM. HE WAS A GOOD MAN AND A GOOD MARINE. I THINK OF HIM OFTEN MAY YOU REST IN PEACE
I served as a young Marine along with then Lt Bower. He was a fair and good man, I didn’t stay in the Marines, but if I had to describe what a Marine Officer should be, Lt. Bower would be my example. In a conflict that didn’t make much sense Lt. Bower was always grounded.
God Bless Lt. Bower, a truly great Marine and a great man.
Walt Butsch
Cary, NC