Former Maverick County Judge and Educator Rudolph “Rudy” Bowles, Jr. Passes Away, Funeral Arrangements Announced
Obituary by Yeager Barrera Mortuary, 1613 Del Rio Blvd., Eagle Pass, Texas 78852.
Rudolph “Rudy” Bowles, Jr. went to be with our Lord on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Rudy was preceded in death by his Mother, Aurelia, his Father, Rudolph, and his sisters, Norma and Frances.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Maria Teresa, his three sisters, Delfina, Edna, and Rosella, his children, Rudolph III and his spouse Rachel, Rodney and his spouse Scott, grandchildren, Rudolph Bowles IV and his spouse Adriana Cecilia, Andrea Bowles Castillo and her spouse Jon, Christian Bowles, Amanda Flores, his great grandchildren Nathan and Lindsey, and many nephews and nieces.
Rudy was the only boy with five sisters. Born and raised in Eagle Pass, Texas, Rudy loved his community and served in public elected office as a Maverick County Commissioner, Maverick County Judge, and Eagle Pass Independent School District Board of Trustee.
Rudy graduated from Eagle Pass High School in 1960 and from Texas State University in 1965 with a degree in Business Education and a minor in History. A believer in the power of education, he went on to earn his Master’s degree in Education and achieved a Mid-Management Certification from Sul Ross State University in 1993.
Known as an accomplished athlete in both high school and college, Rudy played for the Texas State University Bobcats basketball team from 1960 to 1964 on a full scholarship. During his collegiate career, he earned four varsity letters and was a leader of teams that earned several athletic accolades. His 1960-1961 team finished with a 23-8 record and made an appearance at the NAIA National Basketball Championship Tournament.
Rudy made his mark early with the Texas State Bobcats, leading his freshman basketball team in scoring and being elevated immediately to the defending national championship varsity squad. He lettered his sophomore year and continued to develop as he became a member of the 300 Point Club his junior and senior years. In his junior season, he led the Bobcats in scoring, averaging 13.3 points per game. During his senior season, he was named Second Team All-Lone Star Conference, Player of the Week once, was second on his team in rebounds, and was appointed team captain by Head Coach Vernon McDonald.
After college, Rudy returned to his beloved hometown of Eagle Pass, Texas to teach and begin a lifetime of community and public service, including spending 36 years as an employee of the Eagle Pass Independent School District.
During his time in Eagle Pass, Rudy volunteered and served in numerous capacities, including being a member of the Knights of Columbus, President of the Eagles Association, President of the Maverick County Golf Club, Chairman of the Citizens Participation Council, Member of the Airport Board of Directors, founded the Eagle Pass Kiwanis Club, Maverick County Representative to the Maverick County Appraisal District Board of Directors, Member of the Advisory Council of the local District Office of the U. S. Small Business Administration, Member of the State Committee from Economic Development Strategies to Better the Economy in South Texas and Border Cities, President of the Middle Rio Grande Development Council, President of the Eagle Pass Independent School District Principals Association, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Professional of the Year at the 12th Annual Eagle Pass Business Journal Awards.
In 1983, Rudy made history in Maverick County by becoming the youngest County Judge elected. In 1984, he was one of eight elected public officials from Texas, California, Arizona, and New Mexico to be selected by President Ronald Reagan to advise him on United States-Mexico relations pertaining to the U. S. Southwest Border in preparation for his diplomatic meetings with Mexico’s President Miguel de la Madrid.
After his time as Maverick County Judge, Rudy returned to teaching at Eagle Pass Memorial Junior High School, where he rose to the position of Assistant Principal. He went on to become Principal at Eagle Pass Junior High School and later as Principal of Eagle Pass High School. Under his leadership, Eagle Pass High School was awarded “Exemplary Status” by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) in 2010.
Rudy Bowles was a dedicated community leader with a passion for educating the youth of Eagle Pass. His legacy of service, leadership, and commitment to the community will leave a lasting positive impact for many years to come.
Funeral arrangements will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with a Mass at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church in Eagle Pass, Texas, followed by a visitation and Prayer Service from 2:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Yeager Barrera Mortuary, 1613 Del Rio Blvd., Eagle Pass, Texas, Telephone (830) 773-3211.
In lieu of flowers, the Bowles family requests donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, to assist children being diagnosed with and treated for various forms of cancer.
