In Loving Memory of Gerald Eugene “Gary” Bowen

Gerald Eugene Bowen—known to all of us as Gary—was born on July 23, 1945, in Pocahontas, Iowa. From that small-town beginning, he went on to build a life defined by love, resilience, and quiet strength. Later, he made his home in the Pacific Northwest, where his life, his family, and his legacy truly took root.

Gary lived a life shaped by hard work. He worked on televisions, patiently repairing what was broken, taking things apart and putting them back together again. In many ways, that was who he was—someone who fixed things, who stayed steady, who kept going even when life wasn’t easy. He never needed attention or praise. He found pride in honest work and in providing for those he loved.

He found comfort in the simple things: a good cup of coffee, the familiar routine of his day, and the small joy of playing slot machines and getting Ice Cream every other day. Those moments made him smile, and they were part of what made him him. He didn’t chase grand things—he appreciated life as it came, one quiet moment at a time.
But above all else, Gary loved his family.

He was the father of five children. Carrying the weight of both love and loss, he lived with the grief of a child he never truly got the chance to know—a child who passed away overseas while fishing. That loss was part of his story, a pain he carried quietly, with the same strength and dignity that defined so much of his life.

Gary was also a proud grandfather to thirteen grandchildren. Being a grandpa brought him genuine joy. Whether through simple moments, shared laughter, or just being there, his love for his grandchildren was deep and unconditional. That love will remain with them always, guiding them even now.

Gary didn’t always express love in big speeches, but it was unmistakable in his actions—his consistency, his loyalty, and his presence. He showed us what it meant to love through patience, sacrifice, and showing up day after day. He was the kind of man who made you feel safe simply by being there.

On December 22nd, 2025, our family said goodbye to Gary. The loss feels heavy, and the world feels quieter without him in it. We miss his voice, his routines, and the comfort of knowing he was just there. There is a deep ache in our hearts that words can’t fully explain.

And yet, even in our sorrow, there is gratitude. Gratitude for his life, for the time we had, and for the love he gave so freely. His legacy lives on through his children, his eleven grandchildren, and everyone whose life he touched. He lives on in our memories, in our stories, and in the values he passed down.

Gary will always be a part of us. He is deeply loved, dearly missed, and forever remembered.

Rest peacefully, Gary. Your love remains, and it always will.