John Michael Mowrer was born at Fort Sill, OK May 25, 1945 to John and Valdeen (Haigler) Mowrer and passed away November 23, 2020 in Jonesboro, AR.

Mike was a big brother to sisters, Linda and Susan.

He married his cherished Jean Elizabeth Melton on June 18, 1967 in their hometown of Unionville, MO.

Mike is survived by his wife Jean, son William (Melinda) Mowrer and daughter Jane (Scott) Cook. Granddaughters Alli and Hannah Mowrer and Elizabeth and Morgan Cook all of Kennett, MO.  Sister Linda (Rich) McCollom of The Villages, FL, mother in law, Twila Melton, of Unionville, MO, brothers in law Bill (Marji) Melton, of Blue Springs, MO and Michael Anderson of Prairie Village, KS, nieces Emily (AJ) Skyes of Champaign, IL, Lisa (Dain and Rachel) Miller, Goshen, IN and nephew Erik (Felicia) Anderson, of Kansas City, MO.  He is survived by many cousins, as well as an amazing group of coworkers at Dalton, Mowrer, and Chidister, LLP where he was an active partner from 1977 until the time of his death.    Mike was preceded in death by his parents, sister Susan Anderson and father-in-law Don Melton.     Mike looked forward to every opportunity that allowed him to spend time with family.  His family will remember him as a dedicated husband, father and grandfather.

Mike was very proud of his military service starting with ROTC at the University of Missouri-Columbia and field artillery training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  He completed Ranger school at Ft Benning, GA and later commanded a Field Artillery battery in Vietnam.  He was awarded the Bronze Star with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device among several other honors during seven years of active duty and six years as a reservist.    Upon completion of his active service he attended and completed law school at the University of Missouri-Columbia, graduating in December of 1976.  He and his young family moved to Kennett where he was admitted to the Dunklin County Bar in 1977.

Mike was an active and vital part of the First United Methodist Church serving on committees at his home church in Kennett, as well district and state committees and serving as a Lay Speaker.  Service and support for Veterans was very important to Mike.  He served on the Missouri Veterans Commission and was an active member of the local Samuel T. Adams American Legion Post 66 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5443. Mike was a Boy Scouts of America Leader and recipient of Scouting's Silver Beaver Award, member of the Rotary Club - recently serving as President-Elect, Past President and board member of the Kennett Chamber of Commerce, United Way, and Kennett Kiwanis Club.   Mike recently completed 42 years of service as Municipal Judge for the City of Kennett.  He was recipient of a 2020 ICON Award by Missouri Lawyers Media, recognizing the exemplary careers of legal professionals over 60.

Per Mike's wishes a private family service will be held under the direction of McDaniel Funeral Service of Kennett.  Interment will be at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, MO.   Due to COVID guidelines, attendance will be limited to immediate family and flowers will not be a part of the private service at Bloomfield Veterans Cemetery.   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church in Kennett (designated for Eagle Lake Camp and other youth activities) or to a local charity of your choice.