John Russell Tower is a fortunate man. A member of the rare centenarian club, John Tower turned 103 on August 21. To help him celebrate this milestone, a host of friends and relatives turned out for a birthday party hosted by Edgemere, the largest and most comprehensive life care senior living community in Dallas.
“When someone lives past the 100 year mark, that achievement deserves special recognition. John surpassed the century mark by three years, so we decided some festivities were in order,” said John Falldine, managing director of Edgemere. “John has lived at Edgemere for nearly 13 years, and the staff, together with his family and friends, wanted to make his birthday extraordinary this year.”
Tower’s party included presents, refreshments and a beautiful birthday cake, but attendees were there for more than food and fun. They came to visit with a kind and gentle man who has touched the lives of many. Tower spent the afternoon laughing with loved ones while taking time to share good memories of a life well-lived.
A native of Weymouth, Massachusetts, it took Tower a few years before he made the move to Texas. An avid athlete, he could run like the wind, setting the state school boy record in 1928 for the mile (4 minutes, 43.5 seconds) – a record that stood for 25 years. He loved golf and was an accomplished equestrian; but when it came to his studies, he excelled even more. The Massachusetts Superintendent of Education awarded him the single scholarship for the state to the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado, where he studied, graduating with a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering. After working for a few years in New York City, he couldn't resist the urge to fly and joined the Army Air Corps. His flight training eventually brought him to Randolph Field in Texas.
A beautiful brunette is the reason he ultimately made Texas his home. In August, 1941, Tower married Grace Louise Roos. WWII separated the young couple as it did for many; but as soon as the war was over, Grace joined him on the first boat over to join the Army of Occupation in Germany where their first child was born. Together they raised five children, as Tower pursued his engineering profession in San Antonio. He also spent some time administering contracts with the Federal Defense Contracts Administration Service in Waco and Dallas. His dream job, however, started when he was a bit over 60 and joined the staff administering what was then the new Federal Energy Administration Act 1974 which took him as far as Alaska accounting for the oil reserves of the North Slope. He “retired” from that job, but eventually returned as a contractor until he was 97 when most regional offices were closed and operations confined to Washington, D.C.
Today, Tower remains an active 103-year-old caring for his two cats – Ala and Bama – with occasional help from a caregiver who pops in to check on him. A bookworm, Tower is often found curled up with a good book (Wolf Hall is his favorite), when he isn’t spending time with his friends at Edgemere.
“Edgemere has been such a wonderful community for my folks,” said Stephen Tower. “Through the years my folks have made many friends and enjoyed the daily activities that Edgemere provides for the residents. The birthday party was such a thoughtful gesture, and so deeply appreciated. Now, we are looking forward to birthday number 104.”