Theron C. Bowers Sr.

Theron C. Bowers Sr., the son of James and Vernella Bowers, passed away on December 3, 2010 after a lengthy illness. Theron, who was called "T.C." by his loved ones, was born on January 24, 1936 in St. Louis, Missouri. He grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas and attended elementary and high school in North Little Rock. At 18, he joined the Air Force and served on active duty from 1954-1967. While stationed at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia he met his wife, Ava Marie Hardeman. They were married on March 7, 1959 and had a wonderful marriage lasting 51 years. T.C. worked at the Post Office and managed to raise three sons whom he provided with a good life and a catholic education in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He also utilized the GI Bill to graduate from the University of Albuquerque in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Subsequently, he attended the University of New Mexico and graduated from the School of Law in 1977. T.C. was also a licensed real estate broker for a number of years, working at Bowers and Associates, Real Estate Brokers. For a short time he worked for the IRS in Las Vegas, Nevada. He completed the Dale Carnegie course and later taught at the Dale Carnegie Institute. After active duty, T.C. stayed in the Air Force National Guard and retired as a Senior Master Sergeant after more than 34 years of service. He is survived by his wife Ava Marie Bowers, son Dr. Theron C. Bowers, Jr. and his wife Kay and their five children all of Houston, Texas, son Mark Bowers of Rio Rancho, and son Michael Bowers of Santa Fe. He is also survived by four sisters: Verna Mae Rolax of North Little Rock, Arkansas, Constance Dyer also of North Little Rock, Majoice Bowers of Goodlettsville, Tennessee and Fra Helen Bowers of Tulsa, Oklahoma as well as a host of nieces and nephews and many other friends and family. A sister and two brothers preceded him in death: Lottie Bowers, James Bowers and Cololsees Bowers. His only daughter, Julie Marie Bowers, passed away in her infancy. A funeral mass in Albuquerque will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 10, 2010 at St. Joseph's Church on the Rio Grande located at 5901 St. Joseph Dr. NW, across from St. Pius High School. Viewing will begin at 10 a.m. followed by a Rosary and eulogy at 10:30 a.m. The burial ceremony will take place at the Santa Fe Veteran's Memorial Cemetery on Highway 599 at 2:30 p.m. Donations in Theron's name can be made to the African American Scholarship Fund at the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Online condolences can be submitted at www.danielsfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 1100 Coal Ave. SE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87106 505-842-8800.