THE JEWELER
My father, Gary Rowe, has been in the jewelry industry since 1976. Along the journey he was blessed with executive positions with the Marcus Division of Kay Jewelers, C. D. Peacock Jewelers, J. E. Caldwell, and Tiffany & Co. We have lived all over the United States and seen God's glory in every landscape.
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THE PEACE OFFICER
His career path has been as interesting as it has been blessed. In the late 1980's, in what I jokingly refer to as an early mid-life crisis, my father decided to hang up his custom tailored suits and trade his expense accounts in for a badge and a bullet-proof vest. His law enforcement career officially spanned 18 years and included service as a Patrolman, Investigator, Crime Prevention Officer, and as a Chief Deputy. During his years in Odessa he served not only the department, but also his fellow officers as president of their union. He finished his law enforcement career with a brief stint with the University of Texas Police at Houston, stationed in Bastrop County and later in Houston. He maintains his Texas Peace Officer license to this day. "Never say never."
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| Soulmates on lifes journey |
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| Pat Trout, a friend closer than a brother |
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| HOUSTON BADGE IS BORN
Initially as an off-duty hobby, my father began sporting an Optivisor and goldsmith's hammer. His jewelry career had provided him with a foundation for the business, but he took some comp-time and went off to jeweler's school to shore up the gaps in his knowledge about manufacturing processes.
In 2000, with the help of his life-long friend, Pat Trout, he opened his own casting shop in Odessa and began creating finely crafted custom badge jewelry for his fellow officers, firefighters, and other public safety personnel and their families.
HOUSTON SEABOLT
A lot of people ask, "Why the name, Houston Badge?" Well, if you know my dad you won't be surprised that he named the company for another officer, Houston Seabolt, a friend who had lost his life in 1983. So the secret is out. He was born in Houston, but that is not why he named the company Houston Badge.
We feel incredibly blessed by the national presence the company has gained in the public safety community. That has been helped by the strong support he has had from friends in the Houston area.
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| Houston Seabolt, An Uncommon Man |
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A NEW CHAPTER IN FORT SMITH
In 2006 my parents moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas to be near my family (can't be too far from the grand children!).
Up to that point I had played a minor role in my father's business. With us in the same city again and living only 90 seconds apart, my parents and I joined forces and have expanded his shop into a wonderful family enterprise.
As we have grown, we have been blessed with the talented staff to support our efforts. Bryce Horton, my stepson and Gary's step grandson, joined us in 2008 and now handles most of the 3D graphics art design work as well as running our 3D mill. Daryl Schultheiss joined us full time also in 2008 after working with Dad on a part-time basis. He brings with him over 30 years of bench jewelry experience and puts those skills to use managing production of your badge jewelry in our shop.
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| Marilyn & Steve Horton and the GRANDKIDS |
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| Marilyn, Bryce, Daryl, Gary, Susan |
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| Susan Rowe |
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