Life & Times of Jack Bowers

The Life and Times of Jack Leroy Bowers: 

The Life and Times of Jack Leroy Bowers In Loving Memory… May 14, 1925~ February 11, 2011 By Sherry Anne (Bowers) Vandehey Jack, 9 Months Old

Slide 2: 

Jack with his mother Wilma, 1926 Fallon, NV Jack’s mother Wilma is holding him. George, Jack’s father, is standing next to Wilma, 1926 Fallon, NV

Jack and his maternal Grandmother, Fallon, NV 1926: 

Jack and his maternal Grandmother, Fallon, NV 1926

Slide 4: 

Jack and his Father (left, 1926) and then with his mother (right, 1925) when he was a “wee bitty thing” Fallon, NV

The picture on the left was submitted by Jack’s mother (Wilma) to a beautiful baby contest for “True Story Magazine” that debuted in 1919. Jack was 13 months old at the time of this submission, June 1926. The picture on the right is of Jack riding in an old wagon scrunching his little face – happy as can be!: 

The picture on the left was submitted by Jack’s mother (Wilma) to a beautiful baby contest for “True Story Magazine” that debuted in 1919. Jack was 13 months old at the time of this submission, June 1926. The picture on the right is of Jack riding in an old wagon scrunching his little face – happy as can be!

The back of this picture, Jacks mother writes, “ I think this one is sure darling of little Jack”. I believe Jack is about 2 years old here. : 

The back of this picture, Jacks mother writes, “ I think this one is sure darling of little Jack”. I believe Jack is about 2 years old here.

Jack as a youngster, all spiffy in his cape and hat.: 

Jack as a youngster, all spiffy in his cape and hat.

Jack went enlisted in the Army the day Pearl Harbor was bombed, December 1941 at the age of 16. He waited in line to enlist all day. His DD214’s (Army Separation Papers) for his first enlistment reflect the 2 year discrepancy in his age. : 

Jack went enlisted in the Army the day Pearl Harbor was bombed, December 1941 at the age of 16. He waited in line to enlist all day. His DD214’s (Army Separation Papers) for his first enlistment reflect the 2 year discrepancy in his age .

Jack with his Mother Wilma. Picture taken sometime after boot camp. : 

Jack with his Mother Wilma. Picture taken sometime after boot camp.

Jack, Dorothy, Edith, Johnny, Georgia, Roy and...: 

Jack, Dorothy, Edith, Johnny, Georgia, Roy and... Jack’s siblings

Jack went off to war in 1941, the picture to the left was taken in Fiji in 1942 when he was 17.: 

Jack went off to war in 1941, the picture to the left was taken in Fiji in 1942 when he was 17.

I believe these pictures were taken when Jack was in Osaka, Japan. : 

I believe these pictures were taken when Jack was in Osaka, Japan.

While in the Army, Jack’s first born son, George A. Bowers II was born. George went on to have two children named Jason and Emily Bowers. He has lived most of his life in Alabama. : 

While in the Army, Jack’s first born son, George A. Bowers II was born. George went on to have two children named Jason and Emily Bowers. He has lived most of his life in Alabama.

Obviously too sexy for his shirt…: 

Obviously too sexy for his shirt…

Halloween Day, Osaka Japan : 

Halloween Day, Osaka Japan

Jack, stationed in Germany. : 

Jack, stationed in Germany.

While in the Army, Jack met the love of his life: 

While in the Army, Jack met the love of his life Annemarie…. …at the sweet age of 16 years,1950.

While Anne was in Germany, Harold Eugene Bowers was born April 1st, 1952. Anne and Harold lived with her mother until Jack came back to Germany to take them to America with him. : 

While Anne was in Germany, Harold Eugene Bowers was born April 1 st , 1952. Anne and Harold lived with her mother until Jack came back to Germany to take them to America with him. Harold went on to have three children; Christopher, Sherry and Alicia Bowers. Sherry went on to have five 5 children, ages ranging from 23 yrs. - 1 year old. Harold passed away December 31 st , 2006 in Salem, Oregon. He was 54.

1954, Jack receiving an award for expert marksmanship. : 

1954, Jack receiving an award for expert marksmanship. Credit: US Army Photo

Jack and Annemarie were quietly married in Goppingen, Germany Oct. 19th, 1955. Shortly after being married all three boarded a steam powered Ocean Liner and sailed away to America. Soon to follow, Anne and Harold became U.S. citizens. Jack went on to re-enlist in the Army two more times and had 2 more sons with Anne.: 

Jack and Annemarie were quietly married in Goppingen, Germany Oct. 19 th , 1955. Shortly after being married all three boarded a steam powered Ocean Liner and sailed away to America. Soon to follow, Anne and Harold became U.S. citizens. Jack went on to re-enlist in the Army two more times and had 2 more sons with Anne.

Annemarie’s German passport photo that she used to leave to America with. Just Beautiful!: 

Annemarie’s German passport photo that she used to leave to America with. Just Beautiful!

Jack with his son Harold, at an Army base in Germany the day before they left for the U.S.. (Right): 

Jack with his son Harold, at an Army base in Germany the day before they left for the U.S.. (Right)

Jack coaching for the US Army Boxing Team. : 

Jack coaching for the US Army Boxing Team.

Jack Bowers, right front. This was the boxing team he coached for the U.S. Army. : 

Jack Bowers, right front. This was the boxing team he coached for the U.S. Army. Credit: US Army Photo

Jack’s promotion to Master Sergeant E-6 Jacks Chevron was presented by Brigadier Gen. W. N. Redling, his Commanding General. Jack was 36 and had earned a well-deserved retirement from the U.S. Army for a 20 yr. enlistment. He went on to serve as a (USAR) reservist for an additional 43 years. : 

Jack’s promotion to Master Sergeant E-6 Jacks Chevron was presented by Brigadier Gen. W. N. Redling, his Commanding General. Jack was 36 and had earned a well-deserved retirement from the U.S. Army for a 20 yr. enlistment. He went on to serve as a (USAR) reservist for an additional 43 years. Credit: US Army Photo Dec. 27 th 1961 Exactly 20 years and 20 days after he enlisted on the day Pearl Harbor was Bombed on Dec. 7 th 1941) Jack had officially retired from the U.S. Army. He served in WWII and the Korean war, as well as Guadalcanal.

Frederick Walter Bowers was Jack and Anne’s second son together. Fred went on to have three sons, Aaron, Kyle and Damon Bowers. Fred still lives somewhere in Eugene, Oregon. : 

Frederick Walter Bowers was Jack and Anne’s second son together. Fred went on to have three sons, Aaron, Kyle and Damon Bowers. Fred still lives somewhere in Eugene, Oregon.

Jack’s third son with Anne, William “Cody” Bowers, was born March 5th, 1964. Cody went on to have two sons, Stephan (23) and Shawn Bowers (20). Cody passed away July 23rd, 2005 in Eugene, Oregon. He was 41. : 

Jack’s third son with Anne, William “Cody” Bowers, was born March 5 th , 1964. Cody went on to have two sons, Stephan (23) and Shawn Bowers (20). Cody passed away July 23 rd , 2005 in Eugene, Oregon. He was 41.

Anne and Harold, still in Germany (left) Jack, stationed in Germany (right): 

Anne and Harold, still in Germany (left) Jack, stationed in Germany (right) This may possibly be a picture of Jack as an Honor Guard (U.S.A.). There was no notation on the back of the picture .

Jack in uniform, still active duty (left). In the middle are pictures of Anne - the bottom one taken in Germany. The picture to the right is of Jack horsing around with Harold and Fred. : 

Jack in uniform, still active duty (left). In the middle are pictures of Anne - the bottom one taken in Germany. The picture to the right is of Jack horsing around with Harold and Fred.

Jack and his family: 

Jack and his family

Retirement Party from Georgia-Pacific in the late 1980’s. : 

Retirement Party from Georgia-Pacific in the late 1980’s.

Young Couple… Older Couple… But still very much in love. : 

Young Couple… Older Couple… But still very much in love.

Jack and his old cronies from VFW Post 293 hanging out in the Quartermasters white caddy at a recent Veterans Day parade they were in. Jack Lived for Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day. : 

Jack and his old cronies from VFW Post 293 hanging out in the Quartermasters white caddy at a recent Veterans Day parade they were in. Jack Lived for Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day.

Slide 35: 

My beloved Grandfather, Jack Bowers, passed away February 11 th , 2011. His final Army rank was Command Sergeant Major at an E-9 status. He was so proud to be a part of the military. The military was his life. He will be missed. R.I.P. Grandpa.

Slide 38: 

Jack & Annemarie Bowers: Forever May You Both Rest in Peace, Together. I Love You Both & Miss You Terribly… R.I.P. February 11 th , 2011 September 5th, 2003