Henry N Mowry
April 6, 1925 — November 11, 2023
Devoted husband and beloved father, Henry Nelson Mowry, went to the Lord on
November 11, 2023. Henry was the eldest son of Lloyd Nathaniel Mowry and Anna
Genevra Chamberlain Mowry, born April 6, 1925, in St. Petersburg, Florida.
As a boy, Henry took drum lessons and became an accomplished percussionist. He
played in the St. Petersburg High School marching band and orchestra. After
graduating, Henry volunteered to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served
as a Pharmacist's Mate aboard LST 359 in the Atlantic Theatre which helped transport
soldiers to France for the Normandy invasion.
His ship was first hit by a mine, then by a torpedo, leading to Henry receiving a purple
heart. Upon leaving the Navy, Henry enrolled at the University of Florida. While a
student in 1950, he was a charter member of the UF chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon
fraternity. He was a snare drummer in the UF Pride of the Shine Marching Band. He
also was a percussionist for the University of Florida orchestra. He was a member of
Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity. After graduation, he went to work for the
railroad and retired from CSX Railroad as its Chief Chemist. Henry was a lifelong
Mason, and recently received a 75 th anniversary award which very few achieve for being
a Mason. Henry was very active in the Morocco Shrine Club of Jacksonville. He was a
past president of the Drum and Bugle Corps for many years playing his snare drum in
parades all over Florida. He was Honored Noble of the Year for 2018 by the
Jacksonville Shrine Club. Henry loved history, traveling, building and repairing clocks,
classical music, and, most importantly, his family. He was very happy to have seen
many fascinating countries all over the world.
Henry is survived by his daughters Theresa Collier (Arthur), Melanie Mowry Etters
(Eric), Laura Mowry Gold (Keith), and son, Henry Pierce Mowry (Angie). His wife of 68
years, Mary Kathryn Mowry, passed away in February 2023. His eldest daughter,
Kathryn Genevra Mowry Momcilovich, and his grandson, John Ellery Peter
Momcilovich, predeceased him. Henry was proud of and cherished his five grandsons:
Cole Collier, Eli Jenkins, Rutger Mowry, Titus Mowry Etters, and Henry Rafferty Mowry.
Henry will be interred at Jacksonville National Cemetery with military honors on
December 7, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. Vehicles should line up in Lane 2 at 2 p.m. A
celebration of a wonderfully well-lived life will be held following the service at the
Timuquana Country Club, 4028 Timuquana Road, Jacksonville, FL 32210
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of him to the Shriners Hospitals
for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607, or the University of Florida
Foundation, 1938 W. University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32603. Please note on donations
to UF that it is for the Henry N. Mowry Marching Band Fund.
November 11, 2023. Henry was the eldest son of Lloyd Nathaniel Mowry and Anna
Genevra Chamberlain Mowry, born April 6, 1925, in St. Petersburg, Florida.
As a boy, Henry took drum lessons and became an accomplished percussionist. He
played in the St. Petersburg High School marching band and orchestra. After
graduating, Henry volunteered to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served
as a Pharmacist's Mate aboard LST 359 in the Atlantic Theatre which helped transport
soldiers to France for the Normandy invasion.
His ship was first hit by a mine, then by a torpedo, leading to Henry receiving a purple
heart. Upon leaving the Navy, Henry enrolled at the University of Florida. While a
student in 1950, he was a charter member of the UF chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon
fraternity. He was a snare drummer in the UF Pride of the Shine Marching Band. He
also was a percussionist for the University of Florida orchestra. He was a member of
Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity. After graduation, he went to work for the
railroad and retired from CSX Railroad as its Chief Chemist. Henry was a lifelong
Mason, and recently received a 75 th anniversary award which very few achieve for being
a Mason. Henry was very active in the Morocco Shrine Club of Jacksonville. He was a
past president of the Drum and Bugle Corps for many years playing his snare drum in
parades all over Florida. He was Honored Noble of the Year for 2018 by the
Jacksonville Shrine Club. Henry loved history, traveling, building and repairing clocks,
classical music, and, most importantly, his family. He was very happy to have seen
many fascinating countries all over the world.
Henry is survived by his daughters Theresa Collier (Arthur), Melanie Mowry Etters
(Eric), Laura Mowry Gold (Keith), and son, Henry Pierce Mowry (Angie). His wife of 68
years, Mary Kathryn Mowry, passed away in February 2023. His eldest daughter,
Kathryn Genevra Mowry Momcilovich, and his grandson, John Ellery Peter
Momcilovich, predeceased him. Henry was proud of and cherished his five grandsons:
Cole Collier, Eli Jenkins, Rutger Mowry, Titus Mowry Etters, and Henry Rafferty Mowry.
Henry will be interred at Jacksonville National Cemetery with military honors on
December 7, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. Vehicles should line up in Lane 2 at 2 p.m. A
celebration of a wonderfully well-lived life will be held following the service at the
Timuquana Country Club, 4028 Timuquana Road, Jacksonville, FL 32210
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of him to the Shriners Hospitals
for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607, or the University of Florida
Foundation, 1938 W. University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32603. Please note on donations
to UF that it is for the Henry N. Mowry Marching Band Fund.
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