Jack Mowatt
John (Jack) Raymond Mowatt, Jr. (1936-2022)
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.
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. Mowatt 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 was named Washington, D.C. Commissioner in 1983 – a position he held for 34 years. Mowatt is 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.
