Ronald W. Mowry

Ronald Mowry

in the 1940 United States Federal Census Name: Ronald Mowry Age: 9 Estimated birth year: abt 1931 Gender: Male Race: White Birthplace: Pennsylvania Marital Status: Single Relation to Head of House: Son Home in 1940: Auburn, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania Map of Home in 1940: View Map Sheet Number: 4A Attended School or College: Yes Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 4th grade Neighbors: View others on page Household Members:  Name Age Rex Mowry 47 Vera Mowry 44 Kenneth Mowry 16 Elston Mowry 13 Paul Mowry 11 Ronald Mowry 9 Duane Mowry 6 Eloise Mowry 4 George Mowry 3

Funeral Home Notice Ronald "Ron" W. Mowry (July 3, 1930 - July 13, 2016) U.S. Veteran Ronald (Ron) W. Mowry, 86, and a lifetime resident of South Auburn, went peacefully to his heavenly home on July 13, 2016, with family at his bedside. He resided at the Golden Living Center in Tunkhannock, PA for the past six years. Ron was born in South Auburn on July 3, 1930 to the late Rex Wallace and Vera Ethel Tewksbury Mowry. He attended school at Auburn Center and Meshoppen and graduated in the class of 1948. On March 24, 1951 he married his childhood sweetheart, Lois LaFrance, who predeceased him in 2007 after more than fifty six years of marriage. Ron served in the US Army from 1952 to 1953 during the Korean conflict, as an infantryman. His Christian background led him to become active as a chaplain’s assistant. He often contributed musical numbers for services during his tour. He achieved the rank of PFC and was honorably discharged in 1953. Ron continued as an Army Reserve component soldier for several years. Ron worked as a mail carrier and postal clerk. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service after thirty three years of service. Ron attended the Meshoppen Methodist Church and was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 510. Ron’s musical talent was one of his most special gifts. He was an accomplished soloist, pianist and organist. He played trombone while in school and sang with his brothers and father while growing up. His beautiful tenor voice is best remembered as one of the Belltones. He, along with Bob Holdren and Don James, sang for close to 25 years. Ron also sang with the choir of the Meshoppen Methodist Church. Ron never saw a tree he didn’t love. He was a self-taught woodworker and cabinetmaker, featured in local papers with examples of furniture made from his hand hewn and lumbered wood. Ron operated a saw mill on his parents’ property. The cabinets in his family home were entirely handmade by Ron as were those he and Bob Clayton made and installed in the South Auburn Grange. Many of his projects reside in the homes of his children and grandchildren, as cherished family treasures. Ron had a special interest in the maintenance of the local cemeteries. In his younger years, he and his family mowed many local cemeteries. He was a trustee of the Jersey Hill Cemetery Association for more than 33 years. As sexton, he was instrumental in the record keeping and creation of an updated map of plots at Jersey Hill for many years. Ron was a member of the South Auburn Grange for over 70 years. He held nearly every office of the subordinate Grange, including three terms as Master. During that time, he was instrumental in several expansion projects, including the addition of a second kitchen and storage closet. He was also recognized for his reactivation of and recruitment for the juvenile Grange. Children of the community remember Ron’s spearheading of the annual Easter egg hunt. Ron was chosen State Granger of the Year in 1986 after being nominated by his fellow Grangers. He was the first person from Susquehanna County to receive this award. Ron held a special interest in supporting education of youth. He served as the secretary-treasurer of the Meshoppen Alumni Association, The South Auburn Grange ‘s Mowry scholarship, The VanGorden Scholarship and others. Ronald spearheaded the compilation of the Meshoppen/Auburn History of Schools. Working with a dedicated team of volunteers, Ron devoted countless hours to gathering and identifying the people in school photos, tracking graduates and teachers. These volumes live as a local genealogical historical resource. Ron’s most recent project was working with the book committee to compile the History of the Meshoppen United Methodist Church 1855-2005. Ron was instrumental in seeing this project to completion. His family is grateful for his love and support, his life of example, and for all those who worked with him to complete these important projects. Ron was an avid supporter of his grandchildren’s sporting and dance events, and each grandchild was his “favorite”. Ron's other hobbies included playing the piano, photography, and traveling with Lois and special friends Don and Gail James. Ron is survived by his children and their spouses: COL (Ret) Rhonda and George Moore of Allentown, Larry and Elizabeth Mowry of South Auburn, Jane and Mike Murphy of South Auburn, and Chief Petty Officer (Ret) Jay and Victoria Mowry of Jacksonville, FL ;10 grandchildren and spouses: Danielle (Jason) Garber, Christopher (Tammi) Mowry, Renee (Benjamin) LaRue, Angela (Brian) Upright, Jennifer (Kyle) Bogardus, Becki Murphy, Joel (Sara) Mowry, Brittany (Devin) Sherman, Kyle Mowry); and 17 great grandchildren: Cody, Garrett, Alyssa, Matthew, and Makenzy Mowry, Payton, Madison and Hannah LaRue, Sydney, Parker and Trevor Upright, Braden, Greyson and Colton Bogardus, Elliot Sherman, Rylie and Brynlie Garber, and 2 more great-granddaughters are expected in October. Ron was a special Dad, grandpa, uncle and friend, all of who will always miss his smile and infectious laugh. Other survivors are brothers Elston, Paul and George Mowry and many in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his wife and parents, Ron is pre-deceased by a son Mark, a grandson Jeremy, brothers Kenneth and Duane, and a sister Eloise Mowry. Ron's family wishes to acknowledge the wonderful care that Ron received by the staff at Golden Living, Dr. Chris Andres and special friend Becca who kept a special eye on our special grandpa. Funeral services for Ron will be held on Monday, July 18, 2016 at 11:00 AM from the Sheldon Funeral Home, SR 6, Meshoppen. A graveside service with Military Honors will follow at the South Auburn Cemetery. Graveside Military services will be conducted by the members of the Rought Hall Post # 510 American Legion, the Dennis Strong Post # 457 American Legion; and the Endless Mountains Post # 3583 V.F.W. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday, July 17, 2016 from 5:00-8:00 PM and on Monday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Meshoppen United Methodist Church, PO Box 159, Meshoppen, PA 18630, the Maplewood Ranch, or the American Alzheimer's Foundation, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Feb 4 2021, 20:56:10 UTC