FORMER JACKSON MAYOR LARRY NOWAK DEAD AT 92

JACKSON, Mo. -- Former Jackson mayor Larry Nowak is remembered as a quiet man who pursued his civic commitments without drawing attention to himself.

Nowak died Tuesday at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau at age 92. The flag at Jackson City Hall will be at half-staff until the funeral services Friday.

Nowak was mayor of Jackson from 1957-61 and from 1963-1969. It was a relatively quiet period in the city's history before the annexation battles with Cape Girardeau and before the city entered the growth spurt that still continues.

He and R.A. Fulenwider are credited with bringing Lee-Rowan Co. to the city in the mid-60s.

Nowak and the late former mayor Walter Kasten had a friendly rivalry over who would lead the city during this period.

"He was very quiet and laid back," said former mayor Carlton "Cotton" Meyer, who served as an alderman under Nowak.

"He didn't like controversies. We didn't have any, but that was one of the reasons."

Meyer recalls that Nowak was upset the time he had to cast the deciding vote on the appointment of the city attorney.

Carl Talley was assistant superintendent for the city during part of Nowak's service as mayor and later became city administrator when Jackson switched to that form of government. Nowak oversaw power plant expansions, the building of sewers and streets and a wastewater treatment plant, he said.

"He was meticulous, sought out answers, communicated well and was well thought of as a community leader," Talley said.

He said Nowak "was always there. Larry was a person that attended.

"He was of great service to this community."

Nowak was defeated by Kasten in a run for mayor in 1961, by R.O. Hawkins in 1969 and by Paul Leonard in 1971. He served on the Board of Aldermen from 1949-1957. He was a supervisor at the Jackson Hosiery Mill and later worked as treasurer for the Southeast Missouri Medical Center.

In 1982, he received the Chamber of Commerce's R.A. Fulenwider Award, the city's highest civic honor. He was a member of the Chamber from 1955 until his death and also was on the board of the Industrial Development Corporation at the time of his death.

"He was a key man in this town but didn't ask for recognition and didn't get enough," said Andrew Perrin, a member of the Chamber since 1951 and former vice president of Lenco.

John Horrell, a neighbor and longtime friend, said Nowak did anything he could to support the community even before he ran for mayor.

"He and his wife just kept to themselves," he said. "He was not one to go out and seek glory. He just went about his business."

Nowak's life, Mabel, died in 1997.

Nowak's longtime association with the Optimist Club was a natural fit, Horrell said. "He was always optimistic and never pessimistic."

Mayor Paul Sander called Nowak "a true American gentleman and a never-ending ambassador to Jackson.

"... Thanks to former Mayor Nowak, who led his generation soundly and set a solid foundation for the next," Sander said.