Virginia Stowers

Longtime Kansas Citian, Virginia G. Stowers, wife of 60 years to James E. Stowers Jr., and beloved to 4 children, 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren died peacefully at her home in Kansas City, MO, on June 5, 2021. Born and raised in Wyoming, Virginia attended St. Joseph School of Nursing, Denver, Colo., an affiliate of Regis University, and then studied at Research Hospital School of Nursing in Kansas City, where she was licensed as a registered nurse in 1952. Jim and Virginia were married on February 4, 1954. Though affluent in years, Virginia continued to raise her four children frugally, teaching them to live sensibly and within their means. An excellent seamstress, Virginia made many of the daughters’ clothes, a skill she passed down to them. She also loved knitting for all of her family and many friends, especially the little ones. Jim and Virginia and three of their children are also cancer survivors. Having survived their cancer battles, Virginia co-founded the Stowers Institute for Medical Research with her late husband on Sept. 26, 1994, using the wealth they accumulated as significant equity owners of American Century. Virginia served on the board of directors for American Century Companies, Inc., since March 17, 2014. Virginia also led the board of Trustees at the Stowers Foundation.. In 2010, Virginia and Jim joined other philanthropists in signing the “Giving Pledge.” The pledge called on signatories to give away more than 50 percent of their wealth to charity during their life or at death. Through their generous gifts of cash and stock to the Stowers Institute, they had already given away the majority of their wealth. Her special sanctuary for over 50 years is in La Jolla, Calif., a sunny place where all of her family gathers to create precious memories. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Clayton F. Glascock and Gertrude W. Driscoll; her wonderful husband of 60 years, James Stowers Jr.; and their oldest daughter Pamela. She is survived by her older brother William Glascock and wife Nancy of Eugene, Ore.; daughter Kathleen Stowers-Potter (Jim Potter) of Denver, Colo..; her son James Stowers III (Michele) of Mission Hills, Kan.; and daughter Linda Stowers (Chuck Mackey) of Kansas City, Mo. She is also survived by her grandchildren Lauren Hume (Stephan), Ryan Contillo, Alex Johnson, Layne Stowers and James Stowers IV. In addition, her two great-grandchildren gave her renewed life and purpose, sweet yet determined Lylah and Elliot.