Eddy L. "Ed" Bower's Obituary
Eddy L. "Ed" Bower
Eddy Lynn Bower, 77, of Longview, died in a local hospital ICU on March 25, 2013. He was born September 4, 1935, in Corsicana, TX, at the home of his parents, Rex Bower, Sr. and Luticia Coker Bower, deceased. Eddy was reared in Corsicana, delivered newspapers by bicycle, later drove a dump-truck, graduated from Corsicana High School, and attended Navarro College for two years. After that he married the mother of their two children: LuAnn Bower George companion Scott Cupit and David Keith Bower Rene, all form near Corsicana.
Eddy and his family moved to Longview in 1959, and he was employed on an assembly line at LeTourneau. Following that work, he started employment at Continental Can Plant in Greggton, where he worked for 25 years before Crown Cork & Seal bought-out the plant a couple of years before the plant was closed. Eddy was a very productive lineman before being promoted to department clerk for the rest of his career. He enjoyed keeping up with employees leave as well as waste, spillage, and record productions. After the plant closed, Eddy wasn't unsuccessful in getting another job, so he took computer courses at Kilgore College and eventually started his own business clearing lots and yards in Gregg County. It was hard work, but he loved it. He was never afraid of hard work and was able to make anything, especially from wood, like old bard wood. Earlier in Eddy's life, he used to rebuild old Mustang cars and El Camino trucks for Longview citizens interested in his handy work.
A neighbor-lady of Eddy's met him in a nice dance club one night and a courtship started up in Greggton…the two living only three blocks apart. Before you knew it, these dancers waltzed down the aisle on May 19, 1990, and got married. Yes, that was almost 23 years ago, and they were just as happy at the end of their journey as when it began, even during many health problems, cancers and strokes, they were still blessed. Eddy and his wife Ginny, were most often seen together, enjoying their similar likes and hobbies and supporting their community interests.
One of Eddy's or Ed's most generous gifts to the City of Longview citizens, was his commitment to assist the City of Longview Police Department in Voluntarily establishing and nurturing the Citizens on Patrol, Inc. to work for the betterment and safety of its citizens. Ed donated his time, talents, and experience for twelve years as President of COP, until he resigned for a much-needed rest.
Eddy was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Maj. Vernon Bower, Rex Bower, Jr., and Jerry Nell Jordan.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia Owens Bower of Longview, TX, children, LuAnn Bower George companion Scott Cupit and son, David Keith Bower Rene, brothers and spouses: Robert F. Rosa Bower, Melba L. Eleanor Bower, all of Corsicana, Wayne Betty Lou Bower of Hillsboro, Miller Pat Bower of Corsicana, and sister, Helen Bower Bennett of Victoria, TX. Eddy L. is also survived by many nieces and nephews through-out Texas. He is also survived by his wife's children and their partners: Alan Pickard Michael DeDear of Darrington, WA., and Kelli L. Sandy Pickard Edmondson of Ft Worth, TX.
Grandchildren surviving Eddy are Kylie Johnny George-Ozuna of Keller, TX, and grandsons, Maxwell and Alexander Pickard of Darrington, WA.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, March 28, 2013, at the Greggton United Methodist Church, 1101 Pine Tree Rd., Longview, TX 75604, with visitation an hour before the service with open casket until the service, followed by the burial in Lakeview Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be provided by Retirees of Crown Cork & Seal. Flowers will be accepted, but memorials in Ed's memory will be welcomed at the Greggton United Methodist Church.
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