Dr. James H. Tower, Jr.

Dr. James H. Tower, Jr., 88, of Shelbyville, peacefully passed away Saturday, April 2, 2016 at Major Hospital, where he had been surrounded not only by his loved ones, but also by his medical family he had worked with for over 58 years. He was born January 20, 1928, in La Porte, the son of James Harold Sr. and Ethel Anne (McDonald) Tower. On September 9, 1951, he married loving and devoted wife, Betty Colleen Groh, and she preceded him in death on March 1, 2006. Dr. Tower is survived by his daughters, Dr. Elizabeth Pearl and husband, Herb, of Summerset, South Dakota; Dr. Linda Tower Borchert and husband, Dr. Gary Borchert, of Shelbyville; Alyce DeGennaro and husband, Frank, of Wilmington, Delaware; and Lori Hamilton and husband, Tim, of Elkridge, Maryland; sisters, Doris Miller of Richmond, and Vera Brown of Columbus; grandchildren, James Miller and wife, Samantha; Sarah Miller and Stacy Smith; Emily Fehr and husband, David; Rebecca Borchert; James Borchert; Maggie DeGennaro; David DeGennaro and wife, Tait; Erynn DeGennaro; and Katie Hamilton; great-granddaughter, Alexis Miller; sister-in-law, Sue (Groh) Shaw and husband, Jack, of Potomac, Maryland; son-in-law Harry Miller and wife, Lori; and many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Jane Dahl; and beloved brothers-in-law, Harold Miller, Ralph Brown and Don Dahl. In later years, Jim met Jane Keith through a shared interest in genealogy. They were married in 2012; she passed away in 2014. He was raised on a farm and shared his farming heritage with his daughters through their participation in many 4-H activities. He loved to ride his horse, Ben, in Shelbyville parades. Dr. Tower was valedictorian of his graduating class at Rolling Prairie High School in LaPorte County in 1945. He received his Bachelor of Science in Anatomy and Physiology from Indiana University in 1951, followed by his Doctor of Medicine degree from IU School of Medicine in 1954. Dr. Tower was the first to be offered a position in the new residency specialty of family medicine at Methodist Hospital of Indianapolis. He was a proud U.S. Army veteran, serving as part of the Army of Occupation in Japan after World War II, under General Douglas MacArthur. Later in life, Jim liked to joke that “he worked directly under General MacArthur”, noting that MacArthur’s office was on the top floor, and Jim’s was in the basement with the other young enlisted men. On October 31, 2015, he joined with other WWII veterans, going on the Indy Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Dr. Tower came to Shelbyville in 1956, and served the community, both in his private practice and later with Major Family Medicine, until retiring in November of 2014 at age 86. He joked that he needed to continue “practicing” medicine until he got it right. His spunk and positive attitude earned him the nickname “Energizer Bunny”. Upon his retirement, Dr. Tower donated some of his medical equipment to the Grover Museum in Shelbyville. In addition to his private family practice, he practiced both obstetrics and anesthesia. He was elected and served as Shelby County coroner from 1956-1960, and also held board positions with the Shelby County Medical Society, and the Shelby County Tuberculosis Association. He was instrumental in the Major Hospital Foundation, and had foresight in the 1970s of the need to relocate the hospital to the current construction site. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where he enjoyed singing in the choir and serving on many district and local board positions and committees for over 60 years. Dr. Tower loved Shelbyville, and participated in various community activities including playing saxophone in the Shelby Community Band, singing in the Community Choir, and playing softball until age 85 on the Silver Foxes team. He was such an avid supporter of Shelbyville High School sports that he was awarded one of few Lifetime Athletic passes from SHS Athletics. Dr. Tower was a Charter Fellow of the American Board of Family Practice, and a member of the American Academy of Family Practice, Indiana University Alumni Association, American Medical Association, Masonic Lodge F&AM, and Scottish Rite. In 2006 he was proclaimed a Distinguished Hoosier by Governor Mitch Daniels. Dr. Tower loved to care for people. He quietly and selflessly served the community that he loved. It is hard to say which was bigger: his heart or his constant smile. He was an avid reader, with a curiosity about everything. He showed an interest in each person he met, and could usually find a connection through his vast knowledge base. He always had a joke to share, even if it was an oldie but goodie. Dr. Tower was an Indiana University and Chicago Cubs fan. He now has the “best seat in the house” for watching his Cubbies win the World Series this coming year! Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 10, 2016 and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, April 11, 2016 at First United Methodist Church, 34 W. Washington St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Revs. Colin Cress and Robert Campbell officiating. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church or Major Hospital Foundation.