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John Towers Obituary
SHAWNEE, Kan. -- Colonel John W. Towers, 57, died Feb. 25, 2009.
He was born June 20, 1951, to Allan and Aphia (Dempsey) Towers. He was married on Sept. 13, 1981 to Faye Shanks.
He entered Dartmouth College in 1969, and left prior to graduation. He entered the U.S. Army in 1975 and was trained as a Korean linguist/voice interceptor.
He was commissioned in 1980. He returned to Dartmouth, graduating in 1986.
He received the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Ranger Tab and Airborne Badge, and Defense Superior Service Medal.
He enjoyed skiing and golf, but his true passion was that of serving his country.
Family members, in addition to his wife, include a son, J.D. Towers of Leavenworth; a sister, Judith Towers of Chicago; and numerous other family members.
IN HIS LIFE: The family includes a brother-in-law, Jack Rice of Manchester, N.H.
SERVICES: A memorial service will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Main Post Chapel at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Chaplain Ronald Thomas will be officiating. Inurnment will be private at a later date.
Memorials may be given to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Medical Center.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Belden-Larkin Funeral Home and Cremation Services (www.beldenlarkin.com).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Towers
Simon Thalmann
July 13, 2009
Mrs Towers and family,
Deepest condolences for your loss. I worked with COL Towers in Korea for one year (2006/07). His partnership enabled the "strangers" (in my case Swiss) to fit in well and he showed sincere interest in his personnel. He will be sorely missed.
Arthur & Jane Duguay
March 29, 2009
Mrs. Towers and JD
Please accept my condolences and sympathy. I have just learned of and am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend John also known as JT in these parts. JT and I were friends throughout our school years in Lincoln, N.H. I thought of JT often and looked forward to seeing him sometime in our future. We had many memorable experiences, camping, skiing, hiking, golfing, climbing, and working at the same jobs. We skied at Cannon Mountain on the biggest snow day of our lifetime, in 1969. We would take his Jeep up the old “Truck Road” deep into the “Lincoln Woods” to camp or visit Stillwater. One summer during college we were business partners operating the local bowling alley. We would later run into each other in Aspen. John is among the most intellectual and witty people I have known. Jane and my Prayers are with you and your family.
Fraser Toulmin
March 23, 2009
The Towers Family,
As a LT in the Royal New Zealand Navy, I don't often get to serve with US Army personnel. I was lucky enough to work for COL Towers at UNCMAC in 2006 and I can say it was a great pleasure. A big man in stature but also in heart it came as a great shock to hear of his passing.
My deepest condolences.
LT Fraser Toulmin
Royal New Zealand Navy
Richard Anderson
March 11, 2009
To the Towers family,
My condolences.
I had the great pleasure of working with COL Towers in Korea in 2006. He was a great guy - always approachable, not one to fly off the handle and a great sense of humour. I admired his measured and calm leadership style. Although it might be hard to imagine life without him right now, please take some comfort in the fact that, while he was here, he made a difference - and left this world a better place than when he found it.
Kia kaha! (Be strong!)
Maj Richard Anderson (NZ)
Robert Conway
March 11, 2009
The Dartmouth Class of 1973 extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Colonel John W. Towers, our classmate.
Darren Young
March 9, 2009
Mrs Towers & Family,
I have just heard the sad news of Col Tower's death... my condolances to you all. I was fortunate to work with him at UNCMAC in Korea over 2006/2007 and found him to be a very understanding and approachable boss. He had my utmost respect and I am deeply saddened.
Kia Kaha, Kia Toa (Be strong, Be brave)
Bob & Sonya Henault
March 7, 2009
Faye, not every day that some one in the military gets a boss from NH, so when I talked to John on the phone when he was coming to Korea and found out he was also from NH that made my day. He was a great man and a great leader and all of us at UNCMAC were so sad to here of his final PCS. Sonya who enjoyed your visit and making John his Kim Chee took the news very hard. Please accept our deepest sympathy at your lose and asked the Lord to watch over you and JD, because we know John is. "Live Free or Die" NH's motto and John did his part to live up to that, God Bless
Pam & Steve Andraschko
March 6, 2009
Faye & JD,
Please know that you are in our prayers and we are keeping you in our closest thoughts. We are deeply saddened by John's Passing. We love you and love John. We cherish all the laughs and joys you shared with us at Fort Leavenworth. Thank you so much for sharing your John with us.
Love and Prayers,
Pam and Steve Andrasachko
Shari Mereness
March 6, 2009
Faye, Gordy and I were so saddened to hear about John. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. We will always treasure your friendship and will keep John close in our hearts.
Dan Barth
March 5, 2009
Faye,
I remember the good times at Sill,10K run at some mountain in OK, and working with John in ICO hall. Your Wedding day also comes to mind..May God comfort you & JD in your loss.
March 5, 2009
John and I were good friends for a few years before he dedicated his life to the service of his country. He was a great and talented companion rock climbing on the cliffs of Cannon Mountain and on the old Alpine golf Course in North Woodstock New Hampshire. He is someone I expected to see again, he seemed so indestructable. Much missed but even more remembered
John Porter Caldbeck, Cumbria, GB
Jamie Beckinger
March 5, 2009
Faye and J.D., We were so sorry to hear of John's passing. I'll always have fond memories of him with a stogie in one hand and a beer in the other. How you got him to garden was a coup. The Herrings, the Quigleys and the Plummers all send you their heartfelt sympathy and wish you the best, along with our son, Robert. God Bless.
Don Bartholomew
March 4, 2009
Faye, Sheri and I offer our deepest sympathy in your time of loss
Don Bartholomew
David Jobson
March 4, 2009
Mrs Towers and family,
I was deeply saddened to hear of COL Towers death. He will be greatly missed by all. I worked for him in Korea back in 2007. He was a great leader and a fantastic guy to be around, always managing to crack a joke and engulfing everyone with his enthusiasm. Never too busy to have a chat with those who worked for him, he could always be counted on to tell stories about golf or foreign lands. I will fondly remember his jokes and jibes about Scotsmen and our kilts! He will be dearly missed.
Buck Connor
March 4, 2009
Faye: Janice and I have you all in our thoughts and prayers. JT will be missed.
Buck Connor
Craig McIntyre
March 4, 2009
Mrs Towers and family,
My deepest condolences for your loss. I worked for COL Towers in Korea just before he returned to the US. His leadership enabled the "foreigners" (in my case New Zealand) to fit in well and he showed sincere interest in his personnel. Socially, COL Towers was always fun to be around. He will be sorely missed.
Quent Boyle
March 3, 2009
Faye, Judy and I were shocked to hear about John. He worked with us at the store and was fun to be around. Skied at several areas with him and have many pictures of him cllimbing the Cannon Cliffs. He was an all-around athlete and a great person. Judy and Quent Boyle
Vicki
March 3, 2009
I will miss John so much.
Vicki
American Citizen
March 3, 2009
RIP Ranger!
wayne/doris bossie tetley
March 3, 2009
so sorry to hear of john's passing - though we haven't seen him in years - a very nice person who has gone on and accomplished much - our deepest sympathy to john's family.
Robert Williamson
March 3, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and your family. COL Towers we will miss you greatly. I was proud to serve with you.
Mike Przybocki
March 3, 2009
I had the pleasure of bowling against COL John Towers' team years ago here at Leavenworth. My fond memory of him was that he always wore his hawaiian shirts. So...my team decided to all go get hawaiian shirts one week when we bowled against him. He took one look at me, and with an evil laugh and an expletive or two, he punched me in the chest. He had a great sense of humor about everything. He was a great man, a great leader, and he will be missed.
Jimmy "Vegas" Canlas
March 2, 2009
Faye--I served with COL Towers in Korea...even played a round of golf or two with him out there. He was a true gentleman, outstanding soldier, and a great American. He will be truly missed.
Our heartfelt prayers to you and your family during this difficult time.
Deb & Randy Palmer
March 2, 2009
Mrs. Towers, COL Towers was a great leader and mentor who willingly shared his knowledge with those he led. He will be deeply missed. God Bless you and your family.
Randy Boyle
March 2, 2009
I grew up with John in his home town of Lincoln NH. We did a lot of rock climbing on the famous Old Man of the Mountains.
We also worked together at the Skimeister Ski Shop.
John will be greatly missed.
Our prayers are with John and his Family.
Randy and Charlene Boyle
Alan & Kim Bourque
March 2, 2009
Ouor thoughts and prayers are with you all. John we will miss you greatly buddy - rest in peace. I was poroud to serve with you - FIRST TEAM!
Davd McLean
March 2, 2009
Faye,
Angie and I send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers. You and John meant so much to us while we were at Leavenworth. I enjoyed our theological discussions and the friendliness both of you shared!
Know you are in our thoughts and prayers.I know God is taking care of John and will take care of you and your son!
Blessings and Peace,
Chaplain Dave McLean
Charlie Gregor
March 2, 2009
A great soldier and father. We will miss him.
Duane Tunink
March 2, 2009
Big John you will be missed. Your knowledge of baseball (especially the Red Sox) always amazed me. I will always treasure the many business meetings we had in my office discusing the meaning of sports--I mean budget prorities. You were a special person who always brought a smile to my face. God bless you and watch over you and your family.
March 2, 2009
March 02, 2009
COL Towers will be greatly missed he was a great person.
May God Bless You and Your Family In This Time of Sorrow.
Janie Morgan, Leavenworth, Kansas
Marie Meador
March 2, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I enjoyed working with him.
Lois Steineker
March 2, 2009
Towers Family:
You are in my prayers and thoughts. COL Towers will be greatly missed by all of us.
a.k.a. "Blondie"
Alicia Mallon
March 2, 2009
He was a wonderful, wonderful man. I will remember him with great pride of knowing him. My prayers are with his family at this time.
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