Ronald Bowler

Ronald George Bowler, born August 7, 1933, in Gloversville, New York, to Burlen and Frederita Armstrong Bowler, passed away Tuesday, March 15, 2022, in Waxahachie, Texas.  He was 88.

He grew up in the Adirondack foothills, graduated from Gloversville High School, attended Syracuse University and enlisted in the Army.  He served in Korea and in the Color Guard at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Hired by Taylor of Texas, he arrived in Waxahachie in 1959 to build a factory to produce boating accessories.  Texas became his home.  When asked to transfer he left Taylor and went into an oil distribution partnership.   When the opportunity presented itself, he purchased a hardware store in downtown Waxahachie and owned and operated Bowlers Hardware until 1982.   He worked for the Waxahachie Independent School District in the Maintenance Department until his retirement in 2006.

Ron was a member and held positions of leadership in various service organizations, including Jaycees, Optimists International, and Rotary International.  He also served on the Waxahachie Independent School Board for several years and was Chairman of The Gingerbread Trail for two years.  He was an active member in The Gideons International.   He coached and sponsored youth football and baseball teams and coached one of the first swim teams at the YMCA. He refereed high school football throughout the district.

Ron was a proud member of First United Methodist Church in Waxahachie.  He served as a Lay Leader, head usher, van driver, member of the Board of Trustees, and Sunday School teacher.  Anywhere he was needed, he would be there.  He was a founder and long-time member of the Wesley Sunday School Class.

Ron never believed any job was too big or too small to be tackled.  He loved being of service to God and his community.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents, his son Kyle Burlen Bowler, three sisters – Audrey and her husband Bob Flynn, Betty and her husband Raymond Cromer, and Beverly Zinner, and one brother – Mason Bowler.

Ron is survived by his wife of 37 years – Judy Riley Bowler, two daughters – Colleen Goodloe and her fiancé Bruce Stroope, and Keira Maynard and her partner Kali Warren of Buffalo, Texas., three granddaughters – Kelsey Goodloe of San Antonio, Texas, Morgan Maynard and Sydney Maynard of Buffalo, Texas. One brother-in-law – Carl Zinner of Florida, Dawn Davis – mother of his children, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 18, 2022, at Wayne Boze Funeral Home in Waxahachie, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

A  Celebration of Life service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 19, 2022, in the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church, 505 West Marvin, Waxahachie, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be made to the Elevator Fund at First United Methodist Church in Waxahachie, or to the Ellis County Camp of The Gideons International