Dru Vowell

Dru Vowell, age of 84, passed away Saturday September 14, 2024 surrounded by loved ones from complications after a lengthy battle with bladder cancer. He was born on September 19, 1939, in Colorado City, TX to Blanche and Clint Lewis Vowell. From a very young age he learned to be hardworking, entrepreneurial, and a fixer of all things by working sunup to sundown, alongside his mom and dad on their farms.

Dru graduated from Colorado City High in 1957 where he excelled academically and lettered in every sport. He also took the lead in both his Jr and Sr year plays. He got a football scholarship to attend Texas Technological College, now Texas Tech University, but was ineligible to play due to a thyroid condition. This same condition prevented him from going to war in Vietnam after he had already sold his home, car and all his belongings. Dru graduated in 1962 from Texas Tech with a degree in Industrial Management. He was on the Dean’s Honor Roll multiple times. As a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, he was elected and honored to serve as the Pledge Class President.

He said he preferred to work with his brain and not with his body as a farmer anymore, so he chose not to return home to run the family business. He struck out on his own and started Empire Motor Company. After that, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to open his own Insurance Agency, Empire Insurance Associates, and several pawn shops, which he named Empire Pawn. At his death, he was still trying to figure out what his next venture would be.

Dru married the love of his life, Dana Portwood on August 25,1962 in Lubbock, TX. He had four daughters, two he adopted from Dana, a daughter of his raised by her mom and one daughter together. He loved God, his wife and his family in that order. He considered himself very blessed to have the love of his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For several summers he and Dana held Camp GG, Grandmom and Granddad, for a week. They enjoyed adventures with their grandkids in Lubbock, Ruidoso, Six Flags and San Antonio Zoo. He was a member of St. Lukes Methodist Church and served the Seekers Class for over 50 years.

He was the rock of our family. He will be remembered for his genuinely loud happy laugh, his positive attitude, his reliability, his strong work ethic and his deep love for his family and God. You could always count on him to do what he said he would do. He found delight in being with his family, traveling all over the world with his wife, playing cards with family and friends, dancing (all of the girls wanted to dance with Dru), playing and watching sports, shooting pool and reading.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Blanche; his sister, Lu Webb; and his daughter, Jeanette Stafford. Those left to cherish Dru’s memories are his loving wife for 62 years, Dana; daughters, Jeanine Wilder, Denise (Scott) Raymond Jones and Valessa (Don) Stull; grandchildren, Carey (Alanna) Stafford, Kristin Stafford, Jennifer (Adam Richard) Raymond, Amanda Raymond, Alicia Raymond, Sierra (Marcus) Tedesco, Cade (Emily) Stull, Dane (Chris Soliz) Stull; great-grandchildren, MaryGrace & Mason Stafford and Evander Tedesco; sister, Wanda Nix; niece Susan Nix; and nephews John & Tom Webb.

The family and friends of Dru Vowell are invited to pay their respects at a visitation on Friday September 27th from 5 - 6:30pm, and to attend a Celebration of Life Service on Saturday September 28th at 1:00pm, both at Abbey Chapel at Resthaven Memorial Park. A private graveside service for family and close friends will be held immediately following.