Lt. Col. James L. Clowers 1937-2019
Lt. Col. James L. Clowers, USAF Ret., 82, of Topeka, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, following a brief illness.
Jim was born on Sept. 1, 1937 in Zook, the son of Herbert L. Clowers and Henrietta Ione (Merritt) Clowers, one of eight children. He grew up on the family farm.
Jim attended Kansas State University, graduating in 1959 with a B.S. degree in geology and entered the U.S. Air Force as a 2nd Lt. upon graduation. Jim retired from the Air Force in 1980, attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel. Military assignments included stations at bases in Michigan, Alaska, California, Ohio, Indiana, Louisiana, the Defense Mapping Agency in St. Louis and a 1971-1972 tour in Vietnam.
While serving in the military, his education continued, earning a B.S. in civil engineering from the University of New Hampshire in 1969 and a master’s in civil engineering from Purdue University in 1973.
Following his military retirement, Jim worked for EDM Engineering in St. Louis conducting energy studies and then for the Kansas Department of Transportation until his retirement in 2000.
Jim was an active member of St. David’s Episcopal Church, sharing his gifts as choir member, junior warden of the vestry and overseeing the church rebuilding following a 2006 fire. He was also an avid supporter of Kansas State University, Kansas State football and member of the KSU Geology Advisory Council.
Jim married Carolee Baertch in 1959. She preceded him in death. He married Karen Fike Ansell on Jan. 29, 1985. She survives.
Other survivors include children, Chris (Audrey) Clowers, Jeff (Jessica) Ansell, Jennifer (Matt) Linden and Jamie Clowers; and five grandchildren, Cory Linden, Ethan, Kevin, Rylee and Emma Ansell.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7 at St. David’s Episcopal Church, 3916 S.W. 17th Ave., Topeka.
Memorial contributions may be made to the James Clowers Memorial Scholarship Fund at Kansas State University; St. David’s Episcopal Church, 3916 S.W. 17th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604; or to Midland Care, 200 S.W. Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.
To leave a message for the family online please visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
