George Valentine Bowers, 93, of Fort Walton Beach passed away peacefully at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center on Monday, April 3, 2017. George was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and was preceded in death by his parents, William John and Ellen Elizabeth Bowers. His siblings: James Allen, Margaret Henrietta Bowers Kearney, Ellen Elizabeth Bowers, William John, John Jerome, Jerome Mary, Mary Jerome Bowers Hammond, Jerome Kent (killed in Lipzeg, Germany during WW II), and Patricia Ann Bowers Skantze; his youngest son, Robert Timothy Bowers also preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Barbara, and his children: Thomas Francis (Margaret), Margaret Elizabeth (Philip) Watts, Deborah Anne Bowers, RoseMarie (John Kohls) Bowers, and Lisa Jeanne (Wraith) Drake. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Ashlie Rico, Dalton Kohls, Caitlin (Shaun) Kobrin, Kelli Kreft, Dillon Drake, Chase Drake, Margaret Drake, Connor McGill, and Fletcher Bowers; and great grandchildren: Tyler, Abigail, and Izabella (Angel Girl) Isahaq, Makenzie Rico, and Bradley Kobrin who were the loves of his life. Surviving him also are numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. George graduated from Philips High School where he ran track. George enlisted in the US Navy in 1942 as a seaman first class and was a gunner. He was stationed in Guam; San Diego, California; Norman, Oklahoma; Woodbye Island, Washington; Baltimore, Maryland; Columbia, South Carolina; and Miami, Florida. While in Miami he sang with the Blue Baron Orchestra. He received his BS and MA degrees from the University of Alabama. George was a teacher at Choctawhatchee High School and Meigs Junior High School and a Coordinator at the then Bay Area Vocational-Technical School. George was active in the community volunteering with Sharing and Caring, a Weblos and Boy Scout leader for Troop 4444, and PTO president at St. Mary’s Catholic School. George was the first eucharistic minister selected at St. Mary’s Church, an usher, altar server, a communion to shut-ins minister, and a member of several church committees. He was a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus where he was very active in his younger years helping with their many projects. No matter where he went, he always had a joke to tell. He had a kind and very big heart, always there to help in any way he could. He loved teaching and often had students at the house sitting at the dining room table helping them with math. He was a mentor to many students and tried to lead by example. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am on Saturday, April 8, 2017, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 110 St. Mary’s Avenue, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548. A viewing will be held prior to the mass beginning at 9:30 followed by the Rosary at 10:30. Interment will follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery followed by a reception at St. Mary’s Parish Life Center. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic School, 110 Robinwood Drive, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548. Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewed online at www.mclaughlinmortuary.com.

---

 Service Information