Donald E. Bowles
January 16, 1943 ~ October 17, 2013
Donald E. Bowles, 70, Centerton, died October 17, 2013, as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident. Mr. Bowles was born January 16, 1943, in Slick Rock, Kentucky, to the late Urie Preston and Myrtie Lee (Lawson) Hennion.
He graduated from Hiseville High School in Kentucky and proudly served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. Mr. Bowles was a truck driver and retired from BOC (presently Linde) after 38 years of employment. He drove three million safe miles. Additionally, Mr. Bowles was a licensed pilot, enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, driving his truck Bessie, and loved bluegrass country music. He was a member of the Greenwood Merry Mixer Square Dance Club and attended Abounding Grace Church in Centerton.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Urie Lee Bowles.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Murray Bowles; daughters, Mary Ferling (Brian), Ladonna Lynn Robinson (Philip), and Renae Portish (Jeff) all of Martinsville; brother, Leathel Wayne Bowles (Heidi) of Park City, Kentucky; step-children, Richard Murray, Jr, Rodger Murray, and Donna Hardy; 9 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; 10 step grandchildren; 2 step great grandchildren; mother of his children, Mildred Ludema Bowles.
The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m., Tuesday, October 22, 2013, in the Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville, with calling there from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, October 21, 2013. Cremation will follow services at the Morgan County Crematory. Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Visit www.carlislebranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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Marilyn Hennion sent a virtual gift in memory of Donald E. Bowles
Thinking of you all , so sorry for your loss.
Joy Earles sent a virtual gift in memory of Donald E. Bowles
I just want to send my prayers of comfort to his daughter LaDonna, her children, Stacy, Nick, Dylan, and Felisha, and the great grandchildren, Abby, Devon, and Bella. I met him a very long time ago when we all were neighbors and our children became friends. God Bless all your family.
My sympathy to all the family. Don was a friend of mine and we had a lot of fun together, especially when we were flying. I could always count on Don to go on a flight with me. I will certainly miss calling and giving him a hard time and he giving it back.
Uncle Donald I know will be greatly missed by many. I’ll never forget the many birthday songs he would call and sing to me(with some goofy ending he would include to make me laugh). I would always wake up the morning of my birthdays waiting to get that call. I went out on a flight with him over Glasgow….that was an amazing memory that I wouldn’t have gotten to experience if it hadn’t been for him! My prayers are with his children and grandchildren, I know he was their rock!!
Nae, I am so sorry for your loss. With love, Kelly, Shannon, Erin and Melissa
Don was a special person. He entered our lives 31 years ago; and has been a wonderful friend ever since that first day. We have so many special memories throughout the years and will treasure all of those in our hearts. We will miss his weekly calls and drop by visits, he always brightened our day with his funny jokes and stories. Our prayers are with the family. Jim, Vickie, Josh and Chad Montgomery
Don & I enjoyed ‘craziness’ together. Will never forget him coming into the office at BOC with his teeth in his front pocket. Our friendship is special and will continue with dear Barb. Our hearts ache with Barb & family. Prayers for comfort and strength continue. God is with you and so are we. Love & blessings to you always.
My darling husband I love you so very much. I miss you. I’ll always carry you in my heart. I don’t know how I will go on without you but I know I must. I know that’s what you would want me to do. I love you and always will. Your Loving Wife, Barbara
You where one of a kind you will be greatly missed love donna
Remember Ldonna when he took us on a plain ride after he first got his pilot license.
I have so much admiration and enthusiasm for Donald. He inspired me to strive and work hard to get ahead in life. I have great respect for him and his family. my deepest sympathy goes out to them. There wasn’t a day gone my that I didn’t catch myself thinking of him or something he did that made me laugh, or even made me think about how to handle in life.
to all thanks to all yes he touched so many lives as he did mine i will always love him and i miss him so i know GOD sent him to me and im so thankfull for that rest in peace MY LOVE barb
A great loss of a ‘Grand Personality’ we will all miss you love Sandie
i didn’t know Mr Bowles for very long. there was one thing for sure that i knew about him . He loved his family very much. love & prayers, lisa debaets
I will always remember the ‘toothless’ faces you would make at us to make us laugh. There was never a dull moment with you around. We will remember you and love you always….your niece, Debbie
Barbara, So sorry to hear about Donald. You and your family are in our thoughts and Prayers. Graylyn and Cris Abner
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Denise and Steve Davis
Hello, I’m Lois Bunch’s daughter Junice. Donald & mama are 1st cousins, & me & Donald are 2nd cousins. I’m so so sorry. I will be praying for all of you. Junice Robertson (Zula’s granddaughnter)
I have very fond memories of Don. We were both members of the original ‘Driving Force’ at the (then) new Airco Industrial Gas plant which opened in 1977 in Indianapolis. Don was a man of many talents and abilities, and it’s just such a shock, that he’s gone now after just having a going away party for him last Saturday night. Rest in Peace Don, and blessings to all his friends and family.
I will always rember you Dad as helpful and witty person with a smile that lite up a room.