James Gower

Mr. James Houston Gower, 86, of Columbia, Missouri formerly of Louisiana, Missouri passed away June 5, 2009 at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, M0. A Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 9th at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Louisiana. Father Lou Dorn will officiate. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 8th with prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the Collier Funeral Home in Louisiana. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Louisiana. Mr. Gower was born August 22, 1922 in Edgerton, Kansas to William and Rosetta Rankin Gower. He married Jennie Louise George on August 7, 1944 in Eudora, Kansas and she preceded him in death January 12, 2004. Mr. Gower is survived by seven children; John Gower of Overland Park, KS, Caroline Jane Gower of Columbia, M0, Jerri Richardson (Pete) of Carthage, M0., Fred Gower (Colleen) of Gardner, KS, Charlie Gower (Diane) of Bentonville, Arkansas, Ed Gower (Susan) of St. Joseph, M0. and Cindy Nixon of Columbia, M0. and two brothers, Eugene Gower of De Soto, KS and William Gower of Tecumseh, KS, 16 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Mr. Gower retired after 37 years of service with Hercules, Inc. His employment took him from Sunflower Ordnance Works, De Soto, Ks to Alleghany Ballistics Laboratory, Cumberland, MD with the last 25 years of service with Missouri Chemical Works in Louisiana, M0. Mr. Gower was a member of Knights of Columbus and Lions Club. He attended St. Joseph Catholic Church in Louisiana, M0. and more recently was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Columbia, M0. Throughout his lifetime, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and golf. In his retirement years, he particularly enjoyed various facets of woodworking, which allowed him to share his talents with family, friends and charitable organizations. Honorary pallbearers are; Bradley Gower, Ian Richardson, Gregory Gower and Cameron Richardson. Active pallbearers are; Michael Gower, Josh Gower, Matthew Gower, Bryan Gower, Gavin Gower and John D. Gower. Memorials may be given to the American Diabetes Association in care of Collier Funeral Homes, Inc., 117 Barnard Drive, Louisiana, Missouri 63353.

James Gower

August 22, 1922 - June 5, 2009