James P. Sowman, age 83, of Dade City Florida, passed away after a long battle with mantle cell lymphoma on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. He was born in Saint Louis, Missouri on May 24, 1942 to Harold T. Sowman and Dorothy L. (Faulkner) Sowman. He grew up in the home his father and brothers built in Fairview Heights, Illinois and graduated from Belleville Township High School in 1960. Jim attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a Rhodes Scholar and met Jeannette E. Shaffer during her first week on campus at Temple Baptist Church. The two were married on June 13, 1965 in Ashton, Illinois.

He graduated with his masters in Ceramic Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1966 and started at Ford Motor Company in their glass division where he spent his entire career. He held several patents, managed numerous teams, traveled extensively, and retired in 2000 after working for over 30 years. Jim was an active member of Nardin Park United Methodist Church for many years when he lived in Michigan, and when he and Jeannette built their dream home in Florida after retirement, they became active members at First United Methodist Church in Dade City. Jim played basketball, football and baseball in his youth, but later enjoyed golf, tennis and listening to classical music. He especially loved playing golf with his golfing buddies in Michigan and Florida. Jim treasured spending time with his family and friends, and is remembered as a loving husband and father, a gentle, kind and selfless man who was guided by his faith. He will be greatly missed.

Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jeannette Sowman of Dade City, FL; daughters Jennifer (Craig) Knapp of Chicago, IL, Stephanie Abela of Walled Lake, MI; grandchildren Liana Abela, Jacob Abela, James Abela, Atlas Popp, Ellison Knapp, Anderson Knapp; and great-granddaughter Charolotte Liddell. He was preceded in death by his parents Harold T. Sowman and Dorothy L. Sowman, his siblings Thomas E. Sowman, Harold G. Sowman and Doris L. Reiman.

Celebration of Life services will be held in both Florida and Michigan.

The first memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church at 37628 Church Ave in Dade City, Florida on March 21st, 2026 at 11:00am. A luncheon will immediately follow.

A second memorial service will be held at Nardin Park United Methodist Church at 29887 West Eleven Mile Road in Farmington Hills, Michigan on May 2nd, 2026 at 11:00am. A luncheon will immediately follow.

All are welcome. Please come and share your stories or favorite memories of Jim if you are comfortable, and celebrate a life well-lived.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jim's memory to support the music programs at the two churches he loved.