Forrest Bowers
1924-2019
Forrest Bowers, 94, of Lubbock, entered eternal rest on Thursday, May 9, 2019.
A memorial service for Mr. Bowers was held at 11 a.m. today at First Christian Church in Lubbock. The service was under the direction of Resthaven Funeral Home in Lubbock.
He was born in Dunn on June 4, 1924 to Fred and Laura Bell (Richardson) Bowers. Being raised on a cotton farm instilled values and lessons that lasted a lifetime. After graduating from Dunn High School, he received a scholarship to John Tarleton Agricultural College in Stephenville. Pearl Harbor occurred near the end of his first semester of college. Over the next few years, he moved from base to base in various states for flight training. In the spring of 1945, he was sent to the southwest Pacific to fly the P-51 Mustang. He flew more than 30 combat missions. One of his missions allowed him to witness the Nagasaki blast that signaled the closing days of World War II.
After the war, he farmed for two years near Dunn. Following his dream of becoming a lawyer, he moved his family to Austin to renew his undergraduate work and enter law school. He graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1951. He eventually found a job with the Lubbock County District Attorney’s Office and worked there for about three years. Afterwards, he entered private practice until his retirement in 2015. He was recognized as one of the best trial lawyers in Texas.
Forrest’s most important earthly reward was his 53-year marriage to his beloved wife, Tila. Forrest and Tila enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, gardening and anything else together. Faith in the Lord sustained them during life’s most difficult times and added meaning and purpose in glad times, which was most of the time.
Joining First Christian Church in the mid 1970s, they were active members as long as possible. Forrest served in most leadership positions and was selected as an elder emeritus several years ago. He was an active member of the Keystone class and was proud to be one of the teachers at various times.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, William Frederick Bowers; one sister, Earlene Patterson; and two sons and one daughter-in-law, Forrest Bowers Jr. and Raul Bowers, and his wife, Tila, in 2016.
Survivors include his children, Laura Henline of Salt Lake City, Utah, Jimmy McDavid of Lubbock, Lisa Harbert and her husband, Roger, of San Antonio and Fred Bowers and his wife, Connie, of Lubbock; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family.
Memorials may be made to the memorial fund of First Christian Church in Lubbock to continue Forrest’s commitment and desire to spread the message of Jesus Christ.
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