James Phillip Bowen, 72, of New Bern, North Carolina passed away on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Mr. Bowen was born in 1944 on the family farm in Ryder, North Dakota, the son of the late Jim and Phyllis Bowen. He graduated from Ryder High School in Ryder, North Dakota and Wahpeton State School of Science. James served proudly in the United States Navy, having served two tours in Vietnam and retiring as a Senior Chief Engineman. He was awarded numerous commendations and medals for his service. After his service to his country, James was Service Manager at VDO/Argo Instruments, retiring in 1999. He was a true patriot that loved his country, his family and his grandchildren. James was a proud and avid Steelers fan. James was a member of Fairview Lutheran Church in Gore, Virginia. He loved his church and was very active there with them.
James married Donna Jessee Evans on December 9, 2011 in Wardensville, West Virginia. His first wife, Julie Ann Bowen, preceded him in death on November 15, 2006.
Surviving is a daughter, Richelle Bowen Laney (William) of Fayetteville, North Carolina; sons, Shane Phillip Bowen (Jennifer), Joseph Allen Bowen (Michelle), and Stephen James Bowen (Laura), all of Gore, Virginia; two step-daughters, Amy Evans of Bunker Hill, WV, and Emily Evans (Robbie) of Catonsville, MD; grandchildren, Zachary, Lacca, Abby, William, Darby, Charlie, James, Ryleigh, Taylor, Eli, Ivy, and Levi; step-grandchildren, Graeme, Greyson, and Gabriella; brother, Milton Bowen of Minot, North Dakota; sisters, Joylea Knutson (Loren) of Minot, North Dakota, Judy Hartl (Jay) of Pine Island, Minnesota, Lorinda Johnson (Daryl) of Garrison, North Dakota, Betty Bostow (Scott) of Minot, North Dakota, Sharon Gartner of Fargo, North Dakota, and Sharlene Krogh (Don) of Harwood, North Dakota; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents and first wife, Julie, James was preceded in death by a sister, Joyce Marie Bowen and brothers-in-law, Art Seidler and Jerry Gartner.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel.
A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at Fairview Lutheran Church, 464 Fairview Road, Gore, Virginia with Pastor David Twedt officiating. Interment with military honors will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers will be Wilbur Dellinger, Jim Link, Milton Ramey, Dan May, Zachary Bowen, and Eli Laney. Honorary pallbearers will be William Bowen, Charlie Bowen, James Bowen, and Levi Laney.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of James may be made to St. Joseph’s Indian School, P.O. Box 100, Chamberlain, South Dakota, 57325 or via their website at stjo.org/flowers.