James Rowe III

Jim Rowe passed away after a prolonged illness on Saturday evening, September 18, 2010, in Austin with family and close friends by his side. He was born on May 7, 1927, in Washington D.C. and spent his youth in Montclair, New Jersey.

He served in the U.S. Air Force and, after completing his tour of duty, attended and received his degree from the University of Pennsylvania-Wharton School of Business.

Starting his illustrious career with Johns Manville in New York, he was assigned to New Orleans where he worked for several years. Through business contacts he discovered Houston and fell in love with Texas. He was a successful real estate broker and residential builder all over the Houston area.

Jim met his wife-to-be, Melissa Ware, through mutual friends in Houston. They were married for 31 years. The couple moved to Horseshoe Bay in 1981 to build for a Houston developer. They have seen Horseshoe Bay grow from its infancy to the beautiful community it is today.

In a strategic move, Jim and his great friend Shelton Thibodeaux began their partnership in 1988, establishing Horseshoe Bay Resort Sales; in 2004 they affiliated with Remax to expand their influence in the realty community. Jim was known as “the Broker to know” in his big Lincoln automobile.

Jim and Melissa loved to travel, especially cruising with friends to various sites in the world. They would sail on Clear Lake, Galveston Bay, and the Long Island Sound. They enjoyed wintering in Marco Island, Florida, and spent many summers at the Jersey Shore with his brother’s family.

At home, Jim attended daily mass at the chapel of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. He was active in the Marble Falls Chamber of Commerce, helping to initiate the Walkway of Lights. He served as President of the Highland Lakes Board of Realtors and, with Melissa, was a founding patron of the Hill Country Community Theater. He loved listening to Frank Sinatra and was a serious Star Trek fan. Jim loved people and was a magnet for good times wherever he traveled.

Jim is survived by his wife, Melissa; daughters Carol Welder of Austin, Katie Stewart of Houston, Dolores Welder of Victoria, and son Bill Welder of Rockport, TX; his sister-in-law Bernice Rowe of Trenton, NJ; nephew James Corroon of San Francisco; and niece Carin McCuller of Newport News, VA. He is also survived by several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lorena and James G. Rowe, Jr.; brother Lawrence Belmont Rowe; sisters Lorena Wallace and Lucille McCuller; and Jiggs, his beloved pet cat.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 23rd, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 201 Dalton Circle in Horseshoe Bay with Father Ruben Patino, Reverend Peter Christy, and Reverend John P. White officiating. Reception will follow in the Parish Hall.

Contributions may be made to the Hill Country Community Theater, the St. Paul the Apostle Chapel, the Memorial Garden at the Church at Horseshoe Bay, and the Hill Country Humane Society.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home of Marble Falls.

Condolences may be offered at www.clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com