John Clayell Sowell

John Clayell Sowell

• John Clayell Sowell was born on 16 July 1923 in Itasca, Hill County, Texas.
• He married Imogene Gilpin.
• John Clayell Sowell died on 23 February 2009 at age 85.
• The following appeared on 24 February 2009 in the Austin American-Statesman: John Claywell Sowell July 16, 1923 - Feb. 23, 2009 John Sowell was born in Itasca, Texas to Ernest and Augusta Sowell, one of eight brothers and sisters. Upon graduating from Austin High School in Austin, Texas, he served in the United States Navy in WWII, as a radioman. After his service, he attended college on the GI Bill graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from Sam Houston State University in 1951. He went on to graduate from Texas A&M University with a master's degree in Education with an emphasis on Science in 1957. He started his long career in education at Livingston, Texas, 1951, then in Bloomington where he taught science and coached tennis. In 1960, he started teaching in New Braunfels, Texas where he continued his career until retirement in 1985. With NBISD, he taught Chemistry to hundreds of science students and chaired the Science Department. Predeceased by parents, brothers, Ernest and Thomas Sowell, sisters, Margaret Culley, Mary Lou Adams, Frances Culley, Augusta Cooper, Elizabeth Rountree. He is also predeceased by his first wife and the mother of their children, Imogene Gilpin Sowell. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Pearly Sowell; children, Cary Lynn Sowell (Kim No), Dale Brian Sowell (Monica), Alan Bruce Sowell (Michele), stepchildren, Carol Pierce-Davis (Stephen E. Davis), Gary Wayne Smith, David Craig Smith (Suzanne), grandchildren, Morgan Sowell, Karol Lopez, Kristen Sowell, Brian Sowell, Daniel Sowell, step grandchildren Scott Dasch, Zachary Pierce, Janera Smith, Samuel Smith, Chase Smith, Alyssa Smith, Chelsea Smith; step great grandchildren Justin Dasch, Joshua Pierce, and a host of students, family and friends who loved him, and responded to his kind attention. And finally, those to whom he never said no, when asked, "Opa, draw me a bug?" Mr. Sowell did not sit still in his retirement. A geology enthusiast, avid bird watcher and traveler, he considered the wetlands of the coast his second home. He visited such far-flung places as Germany and Galapagos, traveling with his family and making friends around the world. His favorite song was Schnee Waltz. He claimed it as his and Pearly's, and Pearly always dedicated to her husband when she performed it with Oma and the Oompahs. They sang it together a week before his death and Pearly carries it in her heart today and always. Schnee (Snow) Waltz, "We will dance a waltz together, you and I From now on, it's you and me And me and you." Visitation with the family will be Thursday, February 26, 2009, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Doeppenschmidt Funeral Home. The Memorial Service will be at the New Braunfels Church of Christ, 3:00 p.m., Saturday, February 28, 2009. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the NBISD Sally Karnau Scholarship fund for future educators or to the charity of your choice. Doeppenschmidt Funeral Home, 189 N. Seguin Ave. New Braunfels, Texas.

• Last Edited: 16 Oct 2016