Egbert " Bert " Morton Womack

Bert” as he liked to be called, was so much to so many…a friend, a brother, a father, a mentor, a listener. If you asked him for advice, you needed to be ready to hear the frank truth, always offered with love and caring.  Many people have been touched by Bert’s love, by his wisdom, his compassion, his sense of humor, and his amazing storytelling. Regardless of what was on his plate, Bert always had time for others. Even if you barely knew him, you came away feeling you had known him for your entire life. Bert had a gift of making you feel you mattered.

During the Korean War, Bert served as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy, attached to the 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force. He was stationed most of his time on the front lines, rotating to different Marine first aid stations within the 1st Marine Division. In that brutal conflict, the life expectancy of a corpsman was 11 seconds. Bert survived. He also endured being a prisoner of war, which impacted his vision for his life.

Following the war, Bert became involved in law enforcement, working for the criminal district courts of Houston, Texas as well as with the Texas Rangers and other law enforcement agencies in Houston. When Bert left law enforcement, he turned to a different type of protect and serve.

Graduating from the Seminary of the Southwest, an Episcopal seminary in Austin, Texas, Bert served Texas parishes in Austin, Hitchcock, LaMarque and Alta Loma, most of which were located in rural areas.

Bert moved to Colorado at the request of the Episcopal Bishop and served the parishes of St. Andrew’s in Manitou Springs and St. Martha’s in Westminster. During his time at St. Martha’s, the vision started to create the St. Francis Center, which was originally the Pastoral Center, housed in the Colorado Diocesan Center. For years, Bert had a vision to help those struggling with mental health and homelessness. With the creation of the St. Francis Center which had now become a reality. During this time, Bert served as Canon to the Ordinary, which provides counsel to the diocesan bishop, the representative to the churches in the diocese. However, the St. Francis Center was always Bert‘s heart and the place he felt most at home. He loved the people who came through the doors of St. Francis center regardless of their condition.

Towards the end of his career he served as Dean of St. John’s Cathedral, which was a constant “happy hour”. (You all know who you are that contributed to this concept!!!)

When Bert finally retired, he was given a trip to Israel to study at St. George’s College in Jerusalem, a highlight for him. He and his wife Joanne were able to also travel to Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy.

Bert was son to EM Womack Sr. and Ruth Patton Womack,  he is survived by his wife, Joanne of 63 yrs, grown children, daughter Lisa her husband Michael, son Keith.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Francis Center or St. John’s Cathedral.