Donald Stark Bowers

He was born on February 6, 1927, in Los Angeles, California. His family resided in Iowa until they resettled in Fort Smith when he was in the ninth grade. Don graduated from Fort Smith High School where he served as president of the student body, played football, baseball and was an avid golfer. He graduated early due to his academic achievements and enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17. At the conclusion of World War II, he returned to Arkansas and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a degree in history. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and the University golf team. Don then obtained a law degree from the University Of Arkansas School Of Law prior to being called back into the service for the Korean Conflict. Don worked in the life insurance industry for approximately 40 years with New York Life and Connecticut Mutual, which later became Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company.

Don is survived by his wife Sally Shipley Bowers; son David Louis Bowers and wife Jane; daughter Ann Bowers Kinder and husband Paul; step daughters, Carolyn Powell Hartley and husband Ken, Maud Powell Mulvany and husband Steve and Annie Powell Hendricks and husband Andy; grandchildren, Grant Bowers, Victoria Sweatman Schmitt,, Catherine Sweatman Hittner, Rosalie Russell Bowers, John Russell Bowers, Jr., Robert Booth Ramsay, Sara Morgan Ramsay, Allison Ainsley Ramsay, Mackenzie Powell Hartley, Kelso Wayne Hartley, Emma Maud Hendricks, Rachel McClain Hendricks, Andrew Powell Hendricks and several nieces nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Alice and Russell Bowers; brothers Richard Bowers, James Bowers, and sons, Donald Stark Bowers, Jr. and John Russell Bowers.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church Music Ministry or the Fort Smith Public Library.