John Robert Sowa, Sr., age 67, passed away in his home on July 2, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.

John was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on February 18, 1950 to George Alexander Sowa and Mary Magdalene (Gower) Sowa. He graduated from W.B. Ray High School in Corpus Christi in 1968. He then obtained an Associate’s degree in Business Administration from Del Mar Community College. John’s first job in high school as a photographer set the stage for his lifelong passion of capturing memories and experiences on still and motion film. John spent the majority of his career traveling throughout the country as a sales representative to photographic product distributers. In the early 1990s, John was one of 10 sales representatives for Tamron Industries to be selected for a trip to Japan, where he first discovered his love for sushi and sake. He was a very accountable, consistent, and even-keeled sales representative who valued the many relationships he developed with retail dealers throughout his South Texas territory. Outside of work, he was always excited to take snapshots at any family or sporting event and at home was a true Mr. Fix-it, usually found working outside on cars or inside the house building computers.

John is survived by his wife Pamela Weigand Sowa, daughters Julie (Richard) Cardillo, Amy Sowa, and Katie (Benjamin) Stuchlik; son John Robert Sowa, Jr., as well as two beautiful grandchildren, Lucy and Anne Cardillo. He leaves behind one brother, Harold Sowa, and two sisters, Cheryl Mahlke and Diane Greene, sister-in-law Dana (Arthur) Laurent, brother-in-law Henry (Janie) Weigand, Jr., sister-in-law Karen Sowa, brother-in-law Weldon Koenig, Aunt Leatrice Mertens, Uncle Charles Bitterly, Aunt Dorothy Thompson, along with many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Alexander and Mary Magdalene (Gower) Sowa, brother George “Pat” Sowa, sister Nancy Koenig, sister-in-law Ramona Sowa, nephew Robert Sowa, niece Dina Weigand Madary, and parents-in-law Olga and Bert Bannister and Henry Weigand, Sr. 

John and his family are forever grateful for the doctors, nurses and staff at MD Anderson who helped along this journey. Though cancer took him prematurely, John’s days were filled with enough love and memorable experiences to last several lifetimes. His legacy of never giving up will live on with his family and friends. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to MD Anderson Cancer Center or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. 

Visitation will be held from 6-8pm with a Vigil Service at 7pm on Friday, July 7, 2017 at Cypress Fairbanks Funeral Home, 9926 Jones Road, Houston, TX 77065. Visitation will be held from 10:30am - 11:30am with Mass of Christian Burial to follow on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at Prince of Peace, 19222 Tomball Parkway, Houston, TX 77070.

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