Howard Lester Mowry, aka “The Mayor of Gloucester,” died on Monday, February 23, 2026. He was 91. Howard was born in Pennsylvania on December 17, 1934 to the late Lester and Helen Sterrett Mowry. He joined the military at a young age. Howard worked for the Military Sealift Command, which coordinated supplies for the ships. Howard enjoyed the outdoors, spending his time fishing and hunting, and later in life, he became the eyes and ears of the community by monitoring and commenting at county and school board meetings. He was awarded on January 19, 2016 the Gloucester County Citizen’s Participation Award, for providing articulate, insightful and effective inputs to the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors for the past two decades, inspiring other citizens to engage in local government, and ensuring Gloucester’s governance remains by the people. He also enjoyed traveling, so much so that he had been to most of the 50 states. His most recent trip was to Oregon in September of 2025. In addition to his parents, Howard was preceded in death by his wife, Meta Bond Mowry. Howard is survived by his sons, Howard James “Jim” Mowry (Belinda), David Alan Mowry, Eric Leslie Mowry; three grandchildren; great-grandchildren, and his sister, Phyllis Mowry Fosbenner. Howard is also survived by his friends, Kenny Hogge, S. Jean Pierce, Carlton and Robin Drew, Emma Osborne, Craig Bates, and many others too numerous to mention who were a part of Howard’s “village.” The family received friends at Hogg Funeral Home on Monday, March 2, 2026, from 5-6 p.m. The funeral service, conducted by the Rev. Kristie Askew, was held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Hogg Funeral Home. The interment will be held at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk, on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 11 a.m. with military honors.

Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home.