The story of how our family became a family business is a long and winding road. Our patriarch and craftsman, Gary Rowe, must have been preparing his entire life to create Houston Badge Co., built to serve our fellow brothers and sisters in service.
First, Gary enjoyed a fruitful 16-year career as a jewelry executive for some of the largest names in the industry.
Then, his heart for service led him into the police academy and an 18-year career in law enforcement.
While his jewelry career had provided Gary with a foundation for the business, his passion was to serve those he served alongside. So, he took some comp-time and attended jeweler’s school to develop his skills in manufacturing.
In 2000, this blending of jewelry and service turned this off-duty hobby into a business.
Gary and his lifelong friend, Pat Trout, opened the original shop in Odessa, Texas, and began creating finely crafted custom badge jewelry for fellow officers, firefighters, and other public safety personnel and their families.
When it came time to choose a name for the business, Gary and Pat chose to pay homage to a friend and fellow officer, Houston Seabolt, who had lost his life in 1983.
So, though Gary was born in Houston and our business has certainly been blessed by the strong support from friends in the Houston area, Houston Badge is named for “ an uncommon man,” and not our home town.
In 2006, Gary and his wife, Susan, moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas, to be closer to their only daughter, Marilyn, and her family. By this time, Gary’s off-duty business had grown, requiring more time and more people.
Gary, Susan, and Marilyn then joined forces, truly making this business family-based. When you call us, Susan is likely the first chipper voice you will hear. Marilyn handles the majority of the design work, and Gary does it all!
We also have an incredible team of support staff—which includes the grandkids when they are on holiday from school– who help your visions for your badge pendant, charm, ring, or other piece of jewelry come to fruition beautifully.
Our family is a law enforcement family, and our passion is serving other families like ours. We feel incredibly blessed by the national presence Houston Badge Co. has gained in the public safety community, and thank each of you for allowing us to serve you and yours.
