In Memoriam: Longtime USA Softball Commissioner & Umpire Lead Jack Mowatt, Who Passed Last Week

USA Softball has paid tribute to longtime USA Softball member and former Commissioner of MD-DC-DE, Jack Mowatt who died on August 4, 2022.

Last October (2021), he was honored at the Wilson Awards Luncheon, presented by Wilson Sporting Goods in Oklahoma City with a USA Softball Years of Service Award for his 40 years of work with USA Softball in the Maryland, Washington DC and Delaware areas.

“Mowatt’s contributions to the umpire community and to USA Softball as a whole had an immense impact on the organization and in the lives of many people all across the country,” said USA Softball Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Craig Cress.

“We are truly saddened by the loss of former Commissioner Mowatt and send our sincerest sympathies to his companion, Joyce, and his children John, Debbie, Kevin and James.”

Below is the tribute to Jack from USA Softball as well as his obituary published online…

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John (Jack) Raymond Mowatt, Jr. (1936-2022)

First becoming involved with USA Softball in 1968 as a low-level umpire, Mowatt worked hard at his craft throughout the years, later being named Vice President of the Greater Washington Softball Umpires’ Association.

Taking part in three USA Softball National Championships as an umpire, Mowatt also served as the umpire coordinator for the Men’s Class A National Championship and as host for the first 35-under Master’s National Championship.

During his career, Mowatt was instrumental in improving the overall quality of umpires around the country as one of the co-founders of the Central Atlantic Region Umpires Clinic – which eventually became one of the most successful clinics in the country.

He served on numerous USA Softball committees and held the position of Chair of the Umpire Committee for four years where he outlined the duties and expected performance of the National Umpire Staff. Also assisting with the production of the Umpires’ Case Book, Mowatt provided many hours of proof reading and technical help to the committee in effort to benefit the growth and knowledge within the umpire community.

Additionally, Mowatt, who was named Washington, D.C. Commissioner in 1983 – a position he held for 34 years, was a life member of USA Softball as well as a member of USA Softball’s National Indicator Fraternity.

He received the National Award of Excellence and the Tom Mason Award, presented by the Central Atlantic Region, and was also inducted into the National Softball Hall of Fame in 2007 in honor of his many years of Meritorious Service.

A regular at the National Office in Oklahoma City, Mowatt spent a generous amount of time helping where needed with various National Office events throughout the years.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, August 12, 2022, at 11 a.m. ET at Our Lady of the Fields Catholic Church (1070 Cecil Avenue, Millersville, MD 21108).

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Obituary

John “Jack” Mowatt Jr. of Odenton, Maryland.

Jack passed away peacefully at home on the morning of Thursday August 4, 2022.

Jack was born in Washington DC to Edna & John R. Mowatt Sr., and grew up in Bladensburg, MD where he graduated from Bladensburg High School in 1954 and was a volunteer firefighter at Bladensburg Volunteer Fire Station.

He went on to retire as a Program Analyst at the Federal Aviation Administration.  Jack enjoyed cooking and baking for anyone who would eat. He was faithful to his church, Our Lady of the Fields Catholic Church.

Jack’s accomplishments and contributions are numerous, he had been involved in the ASA since 1968, beginning as an umpire and eventually becoming Vice President of the Greater Washington Softball Umpires’ Association.

In 1983 he was named Washington D.C. Commissioner and continued in that position for a number of years and served on numerous ASA committees and was awarded the National Award of Excellence and the Tom Mason Award.

A regular at the National Office in Oklahoma City, Jack spent a generous amount of time helping where needed with various National Office events throughout the years.

Jack was instrumental in forcing Prince Georges County to comply with Title IX to repair and maintain the softball fields within the county.  He was also heavily involved with the IAFF MD tournament, some even referred to him as Mr. Softball.

Jack is survived by his companion and love of his life Joyce Sours, his sister Maureen Owens (Thomas) and his children John R. Mowatt III (Linda), Debbie Mowatt, Kevin Mowatt (Tina) and James Mowatt.

He is also survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The service will be held Friday August 12 at Our Lady of the Fields Catholic Church at 11:00 am.  1070 Cecil Avenue, Millersville, MD 21108

In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish to express sympathy
to consider making a donation to one of the following:

• Our Lady Of The Fields Roman Catholic Church
• The Special Olympics Oklahoma Softball
• Fraternal Order of police Lodge #89
• Prince Georges County Professional Fire Fighters Charitable Foundations, Inc

3060 Mitchellville Rd, Suite 217; Bowie, MD 20716

Memo: Colea Benevolent Fund in Honor of Jack Mowatt

The Rosary will begin at 10:40 am at Our Lady of the Fields Roman Catholic Church.  All Services will be Live Streamed via YouTube on Our Lady of the Fields website.