Louis Allen Bower

Louis Allen Bower, 84, of Tyler, Texas, died Tuesday, January 26, 2016, following hospitalization for an aggressive Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma tumor. He was born in Scottsbluff, Neb., on August 4, 1931, the second son of Charles Edward Bower and Mabel Fern Snyder Bower, his early education was in Scottsbluff in Mitchell, Neb., where his father taught high school physics, advanced mathematics and coached football. The family's 1945 move to Jefferson City, Mo., brought Louis state honors in football, basketball and track events. He graduated in 1950 from Jefferson City High School with Conference/District football honors and was a freshman recruit of University of Missouri University "Split-T" Coach Don Faurot. A two year stint with U.S. Army service during the Korean Conflict interrupted Louis's Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture conferred by MU in 1957 where he was in Block and Bridle Club, livestock judging teams and the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Louis married Betty Jean Rudy, his high school and college sweetheart on January 17, 1954, and recently marked their 62nd Anniversary. Following MU graduation, Louis served the University of Illinois Agricultural Extension Service as Assistant Farm Advisor in Madison County, Ill., for 10 years. Other employment included: Manager of the American Cyanamid Farm Fertilizer Plant (Pekin, Ill.), owner of All Seasons Lawn and Leaf Service in Pekin, Ill. and later established in Tyler, Texas when he moved to Tyler in 1983. A general partner in the family's oil and gas interests and owner of a hay and pine tree farm in Smith County producing county Hay Show Blue Ribbon bales. Louis was an active member of Marvin UMC, Pairs and Parents Sunday School Class; Marvin Ushers, Mission Week volunteer, Tuesday Marvin Men's Bible Studies, Smith County Farm Bureau, Smith County Farm and Ranch Club, Tyler Sister Cities, and the Texas Forestry Association. Recently, Louis was the recipient of the 2015-16 East Texas Symphony Orchestra Gerald Award. Survivors include: wife, Betty Jean Bower (Tyler); son, Kevin Rudy Bower, M.D., (Lara) Southlake, Texas; daughter, Susan Bower Astroff (Barry) Ft Worth, Texas ; Kent Andrew Bower, Tyler; eight grandchildren, Mischa A. Astroff (Kristine), Dallas, Hannah A. Astroff, UT Medical School, San Antonio, Texas, Addison Astroff, University of Oklahoma, Norman Okla., Camille, Genevieve and Charlotte Bower, Southlake, Texas, Bailey and Bethany Bower, Tyler; sister-in-law, Pauline Rudy, Tyler; nephew, Clark Rudy (Cindy) Temple; Texas; nieces, Morgan Rudy, Dorothy Keim, Davenport, Neb.; and cousin, Nelda Rudy Billups, Memphis, Mo. Preceding Louis in death were: his parents, Mabel and Charles E. Bower; and an elder brother, John E. Bower. Memorial Services will be held Sunday, January 31, 2016, at 2:30 p.m., at Marvin United Methodist Church Sanctuary, 300 West Erwin St., Tyler, with The Rev. Gerry Giles and Dr. Doug Baker officiating. A private family burial at Rose Lawn Cemetery will be held prior to the service, under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. If desired, memorials may be made to Marvin UMC Missions, 300 W. Erwin St., Tyler, 75702 or the East Texas Symphony Orchestra, P O. Box 6323, Tyler, 75711.