Samuel B. (Sam) Bowers, Jr., 89, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Thursday, February 23, 2006, at Summerhill in Perry, Georgia.
Graveside Services will be held 2 PM, Sunday, February 26, 2006 at Evergreen Cemetery in Fitzgerald, with Rev. Steve Waldorf and Rev. B.J. Funk officiating. Eulogies will be given by Dell Merritt, Catherine Bowers Cook and Stephen Norris.
Mr. Bowers was born July 16, 1916, at Fairfax, South Carolina, to the late Samuel B. and Harriet Groseclose Bowers. He lived most of his life in Fitzgerald, where he retired as an executive for Rainbow Irrigations Systems. Mr. Bowers was a former Fitzgerald City Councilman from January 1956 until November 1959, and member of the Rotary Club. He was involved with the REA in Hartwell, GA, and had been a Cotton Merchant in the family business in Fitzgerald. Mr. Bowers was a graduate of Fitzgerald High School, attended Clemson University, Iowa State University and graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering. He was an engineer in New Orleans with the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving as an officer. Mr. Bowers was a member of Central United Methodist Church, taught Senior High Sunday School Class and was a former member of the Administrative Board of the Church.
Mr. Bowers is survived by a son and daughter-in-law: Samuel B., III & Mary Ann Bowers of Perry; daughter and son-in-law: Sally & Randy Rodgers of Fitzgerald; grandchildren: Catherine Bowers Cook, Samuel “Bo” Bowers-Haugabook, Sam Rodgers, Stokes Rodgers, Natalie Lollis, Jeff Norris, Sonya Dykes, Stephen Norris, and Marcy Rodgers; 17 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren; one sister: Harriet B. Bruner of Newberry, S.C. Mr. Bowers was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years Anne Stokes Bowers who died on January 17, 2006 as well as two brothers and 1 sister.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials in lieu of flowers may send them to Central United Methodist Church, P O Box 428, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 or to the charity of the donor's choice.