ROCK SPRINGS — James Oliver “Pappy” Hower, 81, passed away on August 28, 2014 at Kindred Care and Rehabilitation Center in Grapevine, Texas. Jim “Pappy” was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming on August 11, 1933 to father, George Hower and mother, Elizabeth Bartram Hower. He was raised and attended schools in Rock Springs, after which he joined the United States Air Force earning a National Defense Service medal and a Good Conduct medal. Jim was known by most when he worked for Jenkin’s Music and Vending, then as a deputy in the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Department and later after retiring, he drove a bus for Sweetwater County School District #1.
Jim married the love of his life, Donna Shepard, on August 25, 1966 in Las Vegas, Nevada. They were happily married for forty years and raised eight children together in Rock Springs. Jim was a loyal Green Bay Packer fan, loved camping, fishing, bowling, golfing, snowmobiling and visiting his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Donna, his parents George and Elizabeth and nine siblings including Patricia Brooks and Katherine McGovern of Rock Springs, as well as three grandchildren, Derrick Dreben, Kevin Mecham and Melinda Hower.
He is lovingly remembered by his younger brother, Jack and wife Barb Hower of Rock Springs, Wyoming and his twelve children, including son Jim and wife Vivian Wood of Potosi, Missouri, daughter, Shanna and husband Keith Mecham of Grand Forks, North Dakota, son Glen and wife Cherie Wood, daughter Shelly and husband Marlin Moen, son Bill and wife Bridget Hower all of Green River, Wyoming, son Bob Hower of Booise, Idaho, son Mark and wife Leslie Hower of Rock Springs, Wyoming, son Cook Hower of Evanston, Wyoming, daughter Tina Hower and significant other Edgar Gomez of Green River, Wyoming, daughter Jamie Hower of Vernal, Utah, daughter Patty and husband Tony Roberts of Gainesville, Texas and daughter Tracy and husband Robert Koenig of Keller, Texas, as well as his thirty-five grandchildren, including Leslie, Jerry, Eric, Crystal, Billy, Kimberly, Casi, Keith, Jr., Lisa, Mark, Brittany, Mycole, Kayla, April, Arlin, Andy, Aaron, Brenna, Jordan, Crystal,
Hannah, Bobby, Harley, Kenzie, Eddie, Daunte, Arnel, D.J., Amber, Kayne, Kayla, James, Ryan, Ashley, Zac and his forty great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at The First Congregational Church, 1275 Adams Avenue in Rock Springs, Wyoming at 1:00 P.M., Friday, September 12, 2014. Friends may call one hour prior at the church. Graveside services with Military Honors will be at the Rock Springs Municipal Cemetery, 802 Thompson, Rock Springs, Wyoming. Family members will be traveling to Big Sandy campground to say their private final farwell to both Jim and Donna on Saturday, September 13, 2014.
Condolences may be left at www.vasefuneralhomes.com
