On May 5, 2008, Tift County lost a beloved friend and businessman, James Lee Bowen, Jr. Visitation will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2008, in the Memorial Social Hall at Tifton's First Baptist Church, followed by the service at 3:00 p.m. in the Memorial Chapel of Tifton's First Baptist Church.
Mr. Bowen was born to Jim and Veda Dorminey Bowen on March 12, 1923 in Tifton. One of six children, Mr. Bowen was the older son. His sisters included Elizabeth, Martha, Lou and Ruth Claire. His brother, seven years his junior, was Huie. Ruth Claire died of meningitis at age four. His siblings married and lived full lives, but are all now deceased, with the exception of Lou Bowen Powers and her husband, Ed, of Wilmington, North Carolina.
Mr. Bowen's father, Jim, was particularly well-known and loved by those living in the Tift area during and after the Great Depression. Jim, the owner of Tifton Investment Company, which was an agricultural fertilizer and chemical distribution center, saved many family farms during this time by extending individual farmers credit when nobody else would.
Mr. Bowen was brought up by his loving parents, who were deeply involved in their children's religious development. He attended and was baptized in the First Baptist Church of Tifton, where he sang in the choir for 63 years, making him the longest participating choir member.
An avid outdoorsman, Mr. Bowen spent much of his youth at his grandparents' farm, where he particularly enjoyed staying at their clubhouse bordering several long river lakes along the Alapaha River. It was there that he developed excellent skills at both hunting and fishing. He enjoyed hunting quail and dove.
As a youngster, Mr. Bowen was athletic. When he was sixteen years old, he won Georgia's individual State High School golf championship, which was held at Athens Country Club in Athens. He continued to be an avid golfer and was a charter member of the Spring Hill Country Club.
After high school, Mr. Bowen attended Emory University in Atlanta, where he studied Business Administration. While there, he sang in the famous Emory Glee Club choir as lead tenor. Mr. Bowen had an exceptional voice and, considering that Emory usually allowed only seasoned seniors to take on this coveted position, it was quite a fete for James to attain this spot in the choir as a freshman. While there, the Glee Club traveled throughout the Southeastern United States and especially to ports of debarkation, where the choir entertained the troops heading off to World War II. Later, he served in the military in the Army Air Corps.
In 1947, he married Frances Rylander of Americus. Their marriage of sixty-one years brought forth much love and joy. Their family includes three daughters, one son, and two granddaughters: Bonnie Bowen and Bernard Banks, Fran Bowen and Chuck Conti, and Nanci Bowen; Harry and Kay Summers Bowen; and Macy and Allie Bowen. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Bowen enjoyed providing for and loving his family. He and his brother, Huie, built a small block beach house in Fernandina in 1955, where both men enjoyed taking their families and friends.
Mr. Bowen followed in his father's tradition and was a successful businessman. He served as president of Tifton Investment Company, partner in Wright-Bowen Plant Farms, and partner in Omega Peanut Company. He served as a Director for the Bank of Tifton (later Bank of America) and was a member of the Tifton Rotary Club.
A deeply spiritual and compassionate man, James devoted much of his time helping in a behind-the-scenes manner. He loved music, sports, good humor, but most of all, his family. In short, Mr. Bowen loved life. His quick wit and wise advice will be missed by all.
Memorials may be made to the James L. Bowen, Jr. Music Endowment Fund at Tifton's First Baptist Church, 404 Love Avenue, Tifton, GA 31794, or to the charity of your choice.