James G. Rowe III
James G. Rowe III, 83, died in Austin Sept. 18, 2010, after a prolonged illness with family and close friends by his side. He was born May 7, 1927, in Washington, D.C., and spent his youth in Montclair, N.J..
He served in the Air Force and, after completing his tour of duty, received his degree from the University of Pennsylvania-Wharton School of Business.
Starting his 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 in the Houston area.
He met his wife-to-be, Melissa Ware, through mutual friends in Houston. They were married 31 years. The couple moved to Horseshoe Bay in 1981 to build for a Houston developer.
He saw Horseshoe Bay grow from its infancy to the beautiful community it is today.
In a strategic move, he and friend Shelton Thibodeaux began their partnership in 1988, establishing Horseshoe Bay Resort Sales; in 2004, they affiliated with Re/MAX to expand their influence in the realty community.
He was known as “the broker to know” in his big Lincoln automobile.
The couple loved to travel, especially cruises with friends to various sites. They would sail on Clear Lake, Galveston Bay and Long Island Sound. They enjoyed wintering in Marco Island, Fla., and spent many summers on the Jersey Shore with his brother’s family.
At home, he attended daily Mass at the chapel of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Horseshoe Bay. He was active in the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce, helping to initiate the Walkway of Lights.
He served as president of the Highland Lakes Board of Realtors and, with his wife, was a founding patron of the Hill Country Community Theatre in Cottonwood Shores.
He loved listening to Frank Sinatra and was a serious “Star Trek” fan. He enjoyed people and was a magnet for good times wherever he traveled.
In addition to his wife, survivors include daughters Carol Welder of Austin, Katie Stewart of Houston and Dolores Welder of Victoria; son Bill Welder of Rockport; sister-in-law Bernice Rowe of Trenton, N.J.; nephew James Corroon of San Francisco; and niece Carin McCuller of Newport News, Va.; 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 is 11 a.m. Sept. 23 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 201 Dalton Circle in Horseshoe Bay with the reverends Ruben Patino, Peter Christy and John P. White officiating.
A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.
Contributions may be made to the Hill Country Community Theatre, 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, 1805 U.S. 281 North of Marble Falls, (830) 693-4373.
Online condolences may be offered at www.clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com.