Al Towles

Al Towles, 86 of Garden City died Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at his home in Garden City. He was born October 24, 1927 in Garden City, Kansas the son of Alfred J. & Ruth S. (Scott) Towles, Sr. 

Al grew up in Holcomb and attended Holcomb schools. He attended his Senior year of high school and graduated from Garden City High School in 1945. Al served in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1947. After the service he returned to Garden City and attended Garden City Community College. Al was a partner in Fankhauser, Inc. He worked as a partner and manager for Cash & Carry Lumber Co. and after his retirement he worked in appraisals. Al was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church of Garden City where he served on the Building Committee. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Hi-Plains Bassmasters, and as a member of the National Lumberman’s Association he also served as chairman. Al also served on the City Housing Board, and as a commissioner and twice as Mayor for the City of Garden City. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing bridge, golfing, politics, yardwork, gardening, and watching football. As an avid reader, Al loved American history and World War II history. 

On October 12, 1947 he married Betty Long in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas. She survives. Other survivors include five daughters Sharyl & husband Larry Kells of Garden City, Ks., Carol & husband Richard Gruber of St. Peters, Mo., Cindy & husband David Waits of Stillwater, Ok., Karen Pontious of Arkansas City, Ks., and Jone & husband Mark Drazic of Elkhorn, Ne.; 18 grandchildren; 21 great- grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Al is preceded in death by his parents and a brother Jack Towles. 

Visitation: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2013 at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City. 

Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 13, 2013 at St. Dominic Catholic Church with Fr. Reginald A. Urban and Fr. Charles Seiwert as Celebrants.

Interment: View Cemetery in Garden City with military graveside rites conducted by the Garden City area Vetarans. 

Vigil Service and Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2013 at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Garden City. 

The family requests memorials to St. Dominic School Endowment Fund or to St. Catherine Hospice both in care of Garnand Funeral Home of Garden City.