Jim Towers, 75, died on February 19, 2005, at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, Texas, following a brief illness.
Jim was born on September 1, 1929, in Denton, Maryland, to parents Grace Hubbard and Preston Burton Towers. He graduated from Newark High School in Newark, Delaware in 1950. In 1954, he married Peg Fulton in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He graduated from the University of Texas in Austin in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics following service in the Korean War as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Artillery. Upon graduation, he was employed by E.I. duPont Corporation in Charleston, West Virginia, after which he was hired by Gulf States Utilities Company, where he worked in Beaumont, Baton Rouge and Washington, D.C. He retired from Entergy in 1994 as Manager of Governmental Relations after 35 years of service in the electric utility business.
Jim’s life will be treasured by all of us who were fortunate to have known him and loved him. He had a special and cherished relationship with his children who considered him not only a loving father but also a best friend, and he was his granddaughter’s special “Poppop” and everyday partner in mischief. Last year, Jim and his wife celebrated 50 memorable and joyous years together.
An individual who never met a stranger, Jim enthusiastically shared his life with family and friends and remained active in community and church activities until his death. While in Baton Rouge, he served as President of the Baton Rouge Symphony, the Texas Exes Club and the Tara High School Parents Boosters Club. In Beaumont, he served as an Elder in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and President of the Delaware Place Homeowners Association and was elected to the Beaumont Country Club Board of Directors. His zest for life captivated those who knew him whether it was on the ski slopes or golf course or through such golf oriented activities as the Men’s Golf Association or the Chokers. His courage to overcome personal challenges was an inspiration to the Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study at church and to friends in Alcoholics Anonymous.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Christine Miller, Fran Lyons, Miriam Moore, and Marvena Sue Towers.
Survivors include his beloved wife; his son, Jim Towers, Jr. and his wife, Fadra; his daughter, Mary Jane, her husband, Bruce Nogay, and his granddaughter, Meg Nogay of Beaumont; sisters, Joanne Cleaves of Newark, Delaware, Margaret Carmeans of Seaford, Delaware, and Maryellen Merrell of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and his brother-in law, George Fulton of Beaumont.
Visitation will be held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on February 21, 2005, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. February 22, 2005, at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Dr. Harland Merriam and Rev. Margaret Desmond officiating, with burial at Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont.
Pallbearers will be Mac Cheeseman, Wyatt Haisten, Calvin Hebert, Elmore Kalbaugh, Don Kuhn, Bud Leonard, Reed Nichols, Jack Osborne, Brad Robertson, and Gary Sitton.
Memorials may be made to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 1350 North 23rd Street, Beaumont, Texas 77706 or to an organizationof your choice.
