The most loving, caring man left his earthly body to ascend to Heaven. Glendal Gerald Bowen (Jerry) died February 27, 2023, on his granddaughter’s birthday.
Jerry was born on August 21, 1935, in Gladden, MO to Raymond Earl Bowen and Stella Clemons Bowen. He grew up in Ironton, Pilot Know Missouri Area with his father, Raymond who owned a café and trucking business, so Jerry could drive truck and wash dishes with equal efficiency.
In March 1955, while working with his stepfather, George Valentine on the Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. Jerry received his journeyman card from National Asbestos Workers local #27 out of Kansas City, MO. He held the oldest card in Local 27. On July 2, 1958, Jerry was inducted into the Army, he was stationed in Gablingen, Germany, where his assignment was driving the general. Jerry was discharged in May 1960, but remained in the reserves where he was honorably discharged July 1, 1964.
While working in Kansas City. Jerry met his first wife, Victoria Fitzhugh and were married on November 20, 1960, in Miami, OK. To this union three beautiful daughters were born: Nicki, Lisa, and Rae Lee. Vicki and Jerry divorced on October 15, 1982, but remained good friends and great parents to their daughters.
While working in Colstrip, MT he met his partner and best friend Linda Wolff on November 23, 1984. Linda and Jerry were married in Mountain Home, Arkansas. They spent the next 38 years as partners, best friends, and parents to all the kids that came into their house including their own eight children. There was never a child no matter how broken Jerry couldn’t love on or mentor too.
Jerry is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Linda Wolff Bowen; daughters, Nicki Shry (terry); grandson, Michael (Kim) Skyler; daughter, Lisa Bowen; grandkids, Natasha (Brandon), Asheley, Miles; daughter, RaeLee Bowen; grandkids, Christian, Katie, Robert; daughter, Ronda Wilhelm; grandkids, Heather (Rey), Buck, JR; daughter, Chauna Sidwell (Steve), and Chanon Willoughby; son, Raymond Jackson (Linda); grandkids, Dylan and Andrew; son Lonnie (Christy) Willoughby; mother, Martha Bowen, brothers: Raymond, Dennis Bowen, Clifford Allen, Chuck Allen (Peggy), and his sister, Sandy Jordan, and two sisters-in-laws Sharon Kemp and Nancy Aronldt.
Preceded in death by his father, Raymond E. Bowen; mother, Stella Bachmann, first wife, Vicki; in laws, Clayton and Freda Wolff; son in law, DeWayne Wilhelm; brothers, Raymond E. Bowen Jr., Jackie Allen; sisters, Jeanie Hobbs, Leona Allen, Valerie Allen; three step fathers, George Valentine, Howard Funk, and Meryl Bauchman; two grandsons, Robert Allen and Scotty and many other friends he has worked with over the years.
Jerry always felt one of his biggest accomplishments was rebuilding the American Legion building on 10th street and his association with all of the friends he made with the American Legion and with the Honor Guard.
Jerry and Linda sold the Country Hill Floral in 1995 and moved home to Montana to help care for his mother-in-law Freda, Jerry spent many years rebuilding houses and trailer houses and helping anyone who needed help. He also loved his time fixing all the grandkids (everyone was his grandkids) bikes, going to school events and just driving them around (Papa’s taxi)
So, when you get to Heaven, you can find Jerry having coffee with all of his friends at the café or helping build God a man cave.
Published by Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home – Forsyth on Jul. 4, 2023.
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