Obituary

Bowers, J. Hoyt

Dr. J. Hoyt Bowers, 81, passed away on Wednesday, May 25, 2016. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2016, at College Heights Baptist Church with Brother Jason Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Plainview Memorial Park under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors in Plainview, Texas. A visitation will be held Monday May 30, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. at Kornerstone Funeral Directors in Plainview, Texas. Dr. Bowers was born on May 3, 1935, to Hoyt and Frances Bowers in Clarkesville, Texas. He graduated from Sam Houston State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture and biology and a master's degree in education. He taught sciences at Texas Senior High School in Texarkana and Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown before joining the staff at Wayland Baptist University in 1963. He also received another master's degree in biology from Stephen F. Austin State University and a doctoral degree in biology from Texas Tech University. He specialized in mammalian cytogenetics, but he also taught vertebrate biology, vertebrate natural history and taxonomy, genetics and development biology as well as several introductory courses. He served as chairman of the Division of Math and Science from 1983 to 2004, during which time he helped establish a dual degree program in math and engineering with Texas Tech University. He was also successful in obtaining a grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to develop the Academic Summer Science Institute for Secondary Teachers (ASSIST.) In all of his time teaching, he enjoyed the love and support of his wife, Joanne Bowers, his son, Mark Bowers, and his two grandchildren, Cameron and Raylyn Bowers. He retired from Wayland Baptist University in 2008 after having a distinguished career that spanned 45 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hoyt and Frances Bowers. He is survived by his wife, Joanne Bowers of Plainview; his son Mark Bowers and his wife Laura of Taylor, Texas; his grandchildren, Cameron and his wife Michelle Bowers of Tulia, Texas, and Raylyn Bowers, also of Tulia. Family suggest memorials to College Heights Baptist Church, 802 Quincy, Plainview, TX 79072 or Wayland Baptist University, 1900 W Seventh St., Plainview, TX 79072. Online condolences can be sent to www.kornerstonefunerals.com.