Clayton Francis Kowis

Clayton Francis Kowis of New Waverly, Texas, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. Clayton, also lovingly known as Dad, Pawpaw, and Uncle Clayton, was born in Baytown, Texas on March 26, 1939 to Frank and Barbara Kowis.
Clayton met the love of his life, Janice Krenek, in Houston on a blind date on New Year's Eve. They married on August 30, 1964 and celebrated over 58 loving years together. Clayton and Janice raised three sons while living in Houston, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Spring, Texas. In 2008, they settled in New Waverly on Clayton's parents' farm.
Clayton had a long and successful career in the food industry, working for Kraft and General Mills, among others. He finally retired for the fourth time at the young age of 76.
Clayton, a lifelong Catholic, actively served many years in the Knights of Columbus, and achieved the honor of Fourth Degree Knight. He always had a love of sports, whether it was coaching his sons' sports teams, or playing tennis and golf. As a proud graduate of Sam Houston State University, he loved cheering on his Bearkats. In his later years, he proudly participated in the MS 150 with two of his sons, riding a bicycle 180 miles over two days to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis. He was also extremely proud to be a lifelong blood donor.
Clayton and Janice (endearingly known as Pawpaw and Grandy) were especially blessed with nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. When the grandkids were young, Pawpaw and Grandy loved hosting a week-long summer camp every year at their home in the country. Clayton lived out his last years with Janice on the farm, taking care of the cattle and driving his tractor.
Clayton was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Barbara Herzog Kowis, and by brothers-in-law, Ron Riggs and Ben Ed Kloesel.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 58 years, Janice; sons Rodney Kowis and wife Linley of Spring, Texas, David Kowis and wife Lisa of Bryan, Texas, Gary Kowis and wife Cindy of Conroe, Texas; grandchildren Andrew Kowis, Jacob Courtney and wife Kirbie, Katy Weidner and husband Bobby, Lauren Aldridge and husband James, Kyle Kowis, Clay Kowis and wife Heather, Allison Kowis, Troy Harris, and Caitlin Kelley; great-grandchildren Luke Weidner, Felix Aldridge, Beckett Kowis, and Evelynn Harris; sisters Velma Kloesel and Vera Riggs Jarzombek and husband Fabian; brother William Clarence Kowis and wife Estela; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Pallbearers are Gary Kowis, Clay Kowis, Andrew Kowis, Jacob Courtney, Kyle Kowis, Marcus Thalmann, Chance Thalmann, and Evan Lacks. Honorary pallbearers are Bobby Weidner, James Aldridge, Matthew Boone, and Troy Harris. Allison Kowis is the hospitality attendant.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 24, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, 10129 FM 1097, Willis, Texas. A rosary will follow the visitation.
A funeral mass will be held Wednesday, January 25 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 101 Elmore St., New Waverly, Texas. A graveside service at the St. Joseph Elmina Cemetery in New Waverly will follow. Afterwards, all are welcome to attend a reception at the St. Joseph Church Hall.
Memorial donations may be made to the St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Waverly, Knights of Columbus Council 5921 or St. Vincent De Paul Society (mailed to 201 Texas Grand Road, Box 35, Huntsville, TX 77340). Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com.