2. Jim Kowalski

At the urging of his father-in-law, Jim Kowalski joined the Knights of Columbus in 1962 and a storied journey with the Knights began. Though raised in MilwaukeeWisconsin, he finished high school here in Texas at Forest Avenue (now Madison high school) and was a member of the Texas National Guard for 6 years. “the first plane I worked on was a P-51” be said. He then got into the printing business, owned his own beauty supply company, and worked in sales for Simplex. But the last n 112 years of his working life, he was the insurance agent for the Knights of thisCouncil. He said “I’ve sold life insurance to almost all the current Knights” Jim actually started his career with the Knights at Council #3593 in Oak cliff where his work earned him Knight of the Year at that Council; an award he also won at Council#8157 in 1988. Jim was Grand Knight of this Council for two separate terms -fraternal years 1983/1984, and 1988/1989. When I asked him the most important event during his time as Grand Knight he gave me two: “Getting the parish breakfast rolling. I was the first pancake flipper”, he said. “We cooked the first breakfast in the Narthex kitchen” he went on. The first breakfast cost $2.00. And secondly he said “I was instrumental in starting the Knight of the Year program. The very first Knight of the Year was Joe Delatte”. The Knight of theYear program continues to this day thanks to Jim’s efforts. Jim’s proudest moment was “I had the opportunity to stand guard over the reliquary of Saint Teresa of Avila at the monastery of the Most Holy Trinity in Arlington.This is something you could not have done if you were not a Knight”. Jim met Lillian in 1960 and married her onThanksgiving Day 1962 with the reception at the Knights of Columbus hall in Oak Cliff. They have 4 children and5 grandchildren. Jim remains a vibrant and active force in Council #8157. He is a member of the 4th Degree, has a Lifetime membership, an Honorary Life membership and for Fraternal year 2007/2008 was named DiocesanPerson of the Year.