James W. Sowar

James W. Sowar, 84 of Coldwater, Ohio passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at Briarwood Village, Coldwater. He was born November 13, 1931 in Coldwater, Ohio to the late David and Mildred (Groman) Sowar.  Jim married his high school sweetheart Mary (Desch) Sowar on February 27, 1954 and they just celebrated 62 years of marriage on Saturday. In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by his children Chris (Sherri) Sowar, Anderson, Indiana, Maribeth (Steve) Homan, Lima, Ohio, Nick Sowar, West Chester, Ohio, Gerry (Diane) Sowar, Centerville, Ohio, James W. (Mary Carol) Sowar, Jr., Cincinnati, Ohio and Fred (Lynn) Sowar Cincinnati, Ohio, 18 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Dolores Sowar of Dayton, Ohio and three brother-in-laws, Don (Doris) Desch, Coldwater, Ohio, Father Paul Desch, OFM, Cincinnati, Ohio and Joe (Patti) Desch, Madison, Wisconsin.

He was preceded in death by his brothers David (Thelma) Sowar, Joe (Bonnie) Sowar, Jack Sowar, and sisters Jean (Greg) Fuller and Jane (Duke) Hammond and a sister-in-law Kit Desch.

He was a lifelong resident of Coldwater, Ohio.  After graduating from Coldwater High School in 1949, Jim attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1954.  He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict - stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska.

After military service, he was employed at the former Avco New Idea Plant in Coldwater for the next 30 years, attaining the position of Director of Management Information Systems.

In 1987 Sowar and his wife Mary founded the Merchants’ Row mini-mall in downtown Coldwater and operated The Card Cupboard for 12 years.  In 1990 Merchants’ Row was awarded Business of the Year by the Coldwater Chamber of Commerce. During this time Jim also assisted Holy Trinity Parish as its first business manager.

His community service included Past President of the Coldwater Park Board, past chairman of the Coldwater Schools expansion campaign and of the Downtown Beautification Committee.  He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Coldwater, Men’s Holy Name Society of the church; he also served as a CCD teacher, Eucharistic Minister, Little League baseball coach, and Junior High football referee.   He was a Trustee and past treasurer of the Desch/Sowar Family Foundation, and member of the Village Tree Commission, Coldwater Kiwanis,  Knights of Columbus, and American Legion.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, March 7, 2016 at Holy Trinity Church with Fr. Rick Walling & Fr. Paul Desch, officiating. Burial with military rites will follow in St. Elizabeth Cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 5 pm Sunday and 9 to 10 am Monday at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Coldwater. Memorials may be made to the Desch/Sowar Family Foundation. Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com