Albert Morse Bowles Jr.

ALBERT MORSE BOWLES, Jr., 83, died peacefully on Monday, the 16th of April 2007, at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston, Texas. He was born the 25th of September 1923, in Houston, Texas, to Albert Morse Bowles and Caroline Shipp Bowles. He attended the Kinkaid School in Houston, Texas, and Sewanee Military Academy in Sewanee, Tennessee. He graduated from The University of the South in 1946 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and optics. He married the love of his life, Louise LeFevre Clarke of Memphis, Tennessee on August 24, 1946. After obtaining a degree in civil engineering from the University of Arizona in 1948, he went to work for his family business, A.M. Bowles Company, which was founded by his father in 1921. During Albert's long career in commercial construction, the company completed or repaired many historic buildings in Texas, including the San Jacinto Monument, the State Capitol of Texas, the McDonald Observatory, the Esperson Buildings, Christ Church Cathedral, and the University of Houston Architecture Building. He served as president of the National Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association, Houston Chapter, and was active in the American Subcontractors Association. After retiring in 1992, he devoted his time to volunteer work with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and the Kiwanis Club, where he was active for more than 30 years and was awarded the Legion of Honor Award for service. He was a lifelong member of Christ Church Cathedral. Albert loved spending time with his family and his many friends. He enjoyed poker games, old movies, music, and antique pocket watches. He is survived by his wife, Louise; his daughter Caroline Bowles Furlong and her husband Randall of Houston; his son Robert Bowles and his wife, Barbara, of Houston; his son Joseph Brigham Bowles and his wife, Carla, and their children, Caton, Pryce, Mia and Mackey of San Antonio; and many cousins. The family would like to express their deep appreciation to the Reverend Luchy Littlejohn for her exceptional pastoral care during Albert's final days. A memorial service will be held at eleven o'clock in the morning on Saturday, the 21st of April 2007, in the sanctuary of Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Avenue, in Houston, Texas with The Reverend Canon Pastor Lucrecia Littlejohn officiating. A reception will follow at the church. Following the reception, a graveside service will be held at Glenwood Cemetery, 2525 Washington Avenue in Houston. Memorial contributions may be made to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210-4886 or to the charity of one's choice.