Alonzo Bowles

Alonzo Seth Bowles, Jr., 81, of Waco passed away at noon on Monday, March 22, 2004 at a local hospital.

Services will be 10:00 am Wednesday at the Waco Memorial Park Mausoleum with Rev. David Story officiating.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday night at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd.

Alonzo was born August 4, 1922 to Alonzo Seth, Sr. and Edna McFall Bowles in Speegleville. He was also a direct descendent of Neil McLennan.

Alonzo attended grade school at Speegleville, and graduated from Waco High in 1940. In 1941, he went to California with a group of young men from Speegleville to work at Consolidated Aircraft. After working there for two months, he came back to McGregor to work for one year at the Ordinance Plant.
When Alonzo was 21, he joined the Air Force in Waco. At Blackland Air Force Base, he trained other young men to be pilots using flight simulators. Alonzo was honorably discharged from the Air Force in January, 1946 in Montgomery, Alabama. After WWII, he worked for a land surveying company laying lines for the REA.

In 1947, he met Orlena Adams, the love of his life, during a July 4th picnic. They were married January 16, 1948 and were married for 56 years.

Alonzo was an optician for Texas State Optical for 16 years. In 1952, Alonzo and his brother-in-law, Roger Cannon, became partners in a Drive-in on 23rd and Franklin Ave. This drive-in was known as the Hob Nob Drive-In. After seven years of business they decided to sell, and Alonzo then bought a service station on Lake Air and Bosque.

After working for 25 years, he retired at the age of 65. After two months of retirement, Alonzo went to work for the Red Cross, delivering blood to hospitals in Central Texas. Alonzo retired after 16 years of service with them in September of 2003.

In 1950, Alonzo became a Master Mason at the Fidelis Lodge, No. 1127, and received his 50 year pin at the Crawford Lodge. In 1952, he became a Shriner and a member of the Royal Order of the Jesters on March 28, 1987. In 1995, he became a member of the Oriental Band, where he remained an active member until his death.

Survivors include one sister, Lillian Newman and two sisters-in-law, Prudie Sexton and Opal Everett, all of Waco. Alonzo is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Calvin Buice, Larry Green, Bill Swenson, Edward Staas, Burton Meador and Glenn Burns.

Memorials may be made to the Richfield Christian Church, Hillcrest Hospice or the Shrine Children's Hospital.

He was preceded in death by his wife Orlena on February 18, 2004.

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