Kermitt Roosevelt Mowbray

Mowbray, Kermitt R.
Dec. 10, 1909 - March 9, 2009

Kermitt R. Mowbray, 99, formerly of Sarasota, died March 9 at his home in Naperville, Ill. Funeral arrangements were handled by Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home of Naperville. He was laid to rest with a graveside service on Friday, March 13.
Kermitt was born Dec. 10, 1909, in Wales, N.D. He is survived by son Kenneth (Elanor) Mowbray of Lusby, Md., and daughter Jean (Vern) Schulze of Burr Ridge, Ill.; four grandchildren, Dr. Thomas (Kate) Mowbray, John (Janice) Mowbray, Elizabeth (Mark) Milz, and Susan (Richard) Grask; and five great-grandchildren, Alex, Kyle, Morgan, Spencer and Annie.
Kermitt grew up in North Dakota, moved to Elmhurst, Ill., where he became a lifelong member of the Elmhurst Masonic Lodge, and later moved to Lombard, Ill. He loved music, playing clarinet and saxophone, and traveled on the same circuit with Lawrence Welk. He retired in 1979 to Sarasota, which he called "his paradise." He was a member and generous supporter of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, he belonged to the Sons of Norway, and he enjoyed the Sarasota Ballet of Florida, often being a host for visiting international performers.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of 56 years, Anna Mae (nee Britton) Mowbray, who died in 1987, and by his second wife, Mabel (nee Meehan) Mowbray, who died in 2003, after which he returned permanently to Illinois.
Kermitt possessed a loving and wonderful passion for life. His family and many friends will miss his enthusiasm, his joy, and his easy laugh.