John Jowdy Sr.

JOWDY
John Jowdy Sr., age 93 of San Antonio died Thursday, August 1, 2013. He was born to Madeline & Fred Jowdy on April 21, 1920, the 2nd of nine children. He was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School. In 1941 he married Vincenza (Vee) Rizzo and together they had two children, John Jr., and Mary Ann. He was a man bursting with personality and humor, which led him to several business ventures including the very popular Tiffany Lounge on Houston St. After a divorce, John set out on a new path which proved to fulfill his future legacy. Subsequently, he went to work for bowling ball manufacturer Columbia 300. That move enabled him to soar to a level he found very gratifying. His job required extensive travel around the country. He spent the rest of his working life, and most of his retirement years representing the company as a salesman, PBA Tour Representative, and Goodwill Ambassador for the company and the Industry.
In 1989 he found love again and married Brenda Harris. It was then that he relocated to Brenda's hometown of El Cajon, Calif. He gained prominence as a coach to many of America's professional bowlers. An outstanding writer, he developed quite a following for his columns that appeared in numerous newspapers and bowling publications. He also penned a book titled "Bowling Execution". He reached the pinnacle of his career with his inductions into the following Halls of Fame: The U.S. Bowling Congress, The Professional Bowlers Association, The Bowling Writers of America, The Bowling Coaches, The State of Texas, and San Antonio, his home town Hall of Fame.
John is preceded in death by his parents Fred and Madeline, Brothers Frank and Bill, Sisters Margaret Narciso, Rose Day, and Zara Aboud,
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 24 years Brenda, her children Steve Harris & wife Bonnie, Lori Millard & husband Carl, and Andrew Harris & wife Kristen, and grandchildren; Tera, Kelly, Ryan, Austin, Landon, Rivers, & Robby. The great-grandchildren are Nicole & Ali.
In addition, he is survived by his son John Jr., daughter Mary Ann Yamin & her husband Stephen. His granddaughters; Gina Erwin, & her husband Kelley, Lisa Holthouse & her husband Michael, grandson Stephen Yamin Jr. His great-grandchildren are; Pia, Alexandria, Hudson, Lissa, Tommy & Courtney, all reside in Houston. He also leaves his brother Albert & wife Louise, sister Virgina Pantuso & husband Frank, sister Marianne Willis, numerous nieces and nephews, and an extended bowling family network throughout the country.
A mass will be held for John at 12:00 noon on Saturday, August 17, at San Fransesco Di Paola Catholic Church, 205 Piazza Italia. The family wishes to extend an invitation to friends to celebrate John's life at 2:00pm on Saturday, August 17 at Maggiano's Restaurant in San Antonio, located at 17603 IH 10 freeway.
In lieu of customary remembrances, a memorial gift may be directed in John's name to: YES Fund, Attn: Chad Murphy, 621 Six Flags Drive, Arlington, Texas 76011, or to a charity of your choice.