NED FORD BOWERSOX of Round Rock, TX passed after fifteen years of gracefully dealing with the challenges of Parkinsons Disease. He grew up for most of his childhood in central Florida and met his college sweetheart, Annie, at Leesburg Community College just after he finished four years in the U.S. Navy. They married and finished with their degrees from The Florida State University. Go 'Noles! Ned went on to graduate school at the Virginia Seminary receiving his Masters Degree in theological studies in 1973 and ordination to the priesthood followed a brief diaconate. Several churches in central Florida were served by Ned in his early ministry and then there was a long rewarding pastorate of fifteen years at St. John's Episcopal Church in Melbourne, FL. In 1991, Ned became a 'Friend of Bill' in the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous and practiced the twelve steps for the next 31 years! He would remind us that "It's not who you are, but Whose you are." The Bishop of the Diocese of West Texas told Ned to just tell 'em, "He got to Texas as soon as he could" in 1995. There were fourteen years of fulfilling ministry at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Corpus Christi where Ned witnessed in evangelism, mission, and church growth.
Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Annie; brother, Bill (Bobbie Anne), his first parenting tutor; his red-on-the head little brother, Ted (married to a sweetheart Sharon); and his baby sister, Jill Fritsch, cherished by her husband Curt; children, Elizabeth Anne (David) Gritzmacher and Benjamin Ford (Sarah) Bowersox and grandchildren, Parker and Connor Gritzmacher and Sadie and Molly Bowersox. The celebration of resurrection life for Ned will be on August 13, 2022 at St. Richard's Episcopal Church in Round Rock, TX with a reception following in the Parish Hall. Committal of ashes will be held at a later date. Beck Funeral Home in Austin, TX is serving the family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you contribute to Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church which serves those caught in the grip of addiction through teaching, counseling, service and prayer including twelve step liturgies. Their address is P.O. Box 40764, Memphis, TN 38174-0764. Those who wish to give to our veterans can contribute to the Episcopal Veterans Fellowship in Central Texas at St. Joan of Arc Episcopal Church, c/o The Rev. David W. Peters, 1225 Town Center Drive #1434, Pflugerville, TX 78660.