Irvin James “Jim” Bowden, 65, of Chattanooga, died peacefully at his home on April 6, 2018, with his family at his side.
He was born in Norfolk, VA. and has proudly called Chattanooga his home for more than 40 years.
Jim was 19 years old when he served with the 615 th Military Police Company and the Ex Plus 60 Team in Vietnam until March 29, 1973. He was honorably discharged the following year and was proud of his service during a difficult time in our nation’s history.
Jim was a Pepperidge Farm franchisee in the Chattanooga market for 34 years until his retirement in 2009 due to illness. He was a longtime member of Pilgrim Congregational Church of Chattanooga.
Jim’s hobbies included golfing and he was an avid reader. He was known for his great sense of humor and storytelling. His family was his passion and he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, whom he dearly treasured.
He was preceded in death by his father, Irvin J. Bowden; mother, Marie Calhoun; and brother, Samuel F. Bowden.
Jim is survived by his loving wife for more than 40 years, Kathleen (Kathy); daughter, Bonnie (Lynn Jr.) Callaway; grandchildren, Lynn Harold Callaway III (Tripp) and Elsie James Callaway of Chattanooga; and brother, Jeffery C. Bowden of Norfolk, VA.
Other survivors include his father and mother-in-law, Jim and Linda Ayon; sisters-in-law, Carol (Danny) Smith, Darlene (Mike) Garza, Dorene (Michael) Martinez, all of Azusa, CA., brother-in-law, Bernard James (Jonette) Ayon of Twentynine Palms, CA., Janice (Phil) Bowden Taylor and Valentina (George) Bowden Nastasi, both of Ft. Smith, AR.
Also surviving are many nieces and nephews of which he was proud of. He especially remembers his nephew Jason Nelligan of Ft. Smith, AR. of whom he was particularly proud.
The family would like to thank Dr. Sharon Farber, Dr. Richard Moore and Melissa Matthews, RN, Dr. Larry Schlabach and Kristie Green, Dr. Frank Kimsey and Anita Jones, PA, Dr. and Mrs. Raphael Lanade, Tracy Sherrer, CRNP, who helped him to check off an item from his bucket list by providing tickets to the Sunday 2014 Masters in Augusta, Milou Steele Young, MSN, ENP-C, of Aspire, Dr. Taz Randles, Dr. Elizabeth Ferluga, Leona White, RN, the caring staff of Hearth Hospice, and the hundreds of people from all walks of life who assisted Jim, so he was not alone as he journeyed a difficult road with Parkinson’s Disease and Cancer in recent years.
A funeral service will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Friday, April 13, 2018 at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 400 Glenwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN. 37404 with Rev. Scott Williamson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Robert Loveday Chapter #6, 619 Memorial Drive, Red Bank, TN 37415
Visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to view the tribute and share condolences.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2018 from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Rd. Chattanooga, TN 37421
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