By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Pelham’s first fire chief will forever be remembered for his contributions to the city after his name is added to the Pelham City Park obelisk sometime in the next several weeks.

During its Nov. 4 meeting, the Pelham City Council voted unanimously to add Roy Jowers’ name to the stone obelisk, which is near the park’s baseball fields.

“This is a small way for us thank Mr. Jowers for his long service,” City Council President Rick Hayes said during the meeting.

Jowers, who passed away in July, helped to found the city’s first volunteer fire department, and served as a City Council member after the city was incorporated in 1964.

Throughout his years in Pelham, Jowers was involved in several civic organizations, such as the Red Cross, the Pelham Pioneers and as an ambassador for the city. Jowers also served in the U.S. Army in Korea.

Pelham Mayor Gary Waters, who served as the city’s fire chief for several years, said Jowers hired him at the Pelham Fire Department.

“I loved him because you always knew where you stood with him,” Waters said.

Pelham officials are working with Jowers’ family to plan a ceremony to unveil his name on the obelisk, Hayes said. The date for the ceremony, which Waters said likely will be on a Sunday afternoon, will be announced at a later date.

Jowers’ name will join several others on the obelisk, such as police officer Philip Davis, who gave his life in the line of duty in 2009, and Fran Driver, the longtime owner of Fran’s Diner off U.S. 31.