James Douglas Sowell Obituary

James Douglas Sowell attended Bay City High School in Bay City, TX. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about James Douglas Sowell.

Graduation Year	Faculty
Date of Passing	Jan 05, 2017
About	James Douglas Sowell, age 91, passed away peacefully in his sleep and returned to his heavenly home on Thursday, January 5, 2017. James was born to the late John Jefferson and Mae Brady Sowell on January 6, 1925. He was immersed in the Christian community that would be his lifelong support from an early age. He accepted Christ as his savior at a revival when he was a young teenager and was baptized a week later. He joined the Army Air Corps during World War II and served as a teletype operator. Upon his return he attended school in Huntsville, Texas at what was then called Sam Houston State Teacher’s College. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and a Master’s degree in Education. While in Huntsville, James met Virginia Cox. They were married on August 17, 1951. They moved to Bay City, Texas where he was the Vocational Agriculture teacher from 1952 until he retired in 1980. After retirement, James was a stalwart volunteer with the South Texas Prison Outreach Ministry and Texas Baptist Men. He also enjoyed breeding rabbits for the Matagorda County Livestock Show and Rodeo. He was passionate about sharing his love for the Lord with the boys of Royal Ambassadors. He led many outings at the Palacios Baptist Encampment and was lovingly known as the “Canoe and Knot Man”. James is survived by wife Virginia, daughter Donna Christian and husband Charles, daughter Jane Waldron and husband Denis, grandchildren Blake (and Leska) Parker, Trent (and Allyson) Parker, Meagan (and Jason) Richard, Terence (and Miranda) Waldron, Michelle (and Christopher) Metzger, and great-grandchildren Chance, Steven, Gabriel, Clara, Collier, Lane, Joshua, Scarlet, Penelope, Margaret, and Austen. He will be missed by many friends and family members. A viewing will be held at Taylor Brother’s on Saturday, January 7, 2017 from 4-6PM. The service will be held on Sunday, January 8, 2017 at First Baptist Church of Bay City at 2PM. A graveside service will follow immediately after at Hawley Cemetery.