Patrick “Pat” Donald Bowden peacefully passed away January 30, 2017 in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 am Monday, February 6, 2017 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Butler, Missouri with Father Thomas Hermes officiating. The Rosary will be recited at 9:00 am and visitation will follow until Mass begins at 10:00 am. Burial will follow in Fort Scott National Cemetery, Fort Scott, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions be made to Serenity Hospice or VFW Post 1935.
Pat was born August 23, 1933 in Hannibal, Missouri to Raymond and Elma Rader Bowden, where he was one of 10 children. In Kirksville, Missouri on May 28, 1960, he was united in marriage to Jane Thomas.
Pat entered the Marine Corp in 1953 where he received a USAFI Certificate and served overseas in the Korean War. He graduated from Northeast Missouri State University with a B.S. in Education. He taught in several school districts in Northeast Missouri (New Cambria, Knox County, Lewis County and Macon). Pat drove many school busses as well as an 18-wheeler truck for a portion of his life. Before retiring, he worked for Tan-Tara Resort at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Survivors include his wife, Jane, one daughter, Jacqueline K. (Jackie) Coop and her husband, Jeff, of Peculiar, Missouri and one son, David Patrick Bowden and his wife, Raelene of Spring Hill, Kansas; four grandchildren: Ryan Coop, Lemoore, California, Austin Coop, Kansas City, Missouri, Haley Bowden and Libby Bowden both of Spring Hill, Kansas; and one step grandchild, Ramzy Harb and his wife, Susie, of Shawnee, Kansas. One sister, Marilyn Doty, of Hannibal, three great step grandchildren & many nieces and nephews survive.
Pat was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Joseph, Anthony, William and Michael Bowden; and sisters, Madeline Monical, Margaret McGee, Alma Mae Jacobs and Barbara Hodgson.
Pat was a private pilot for many years and enjoyed hours of flying his own single engine plane. Also he helped to organize two flying clubs in Northeast Missouri and served as president of the Missouri Flying Farmers. Pat was a strong supporter of all athletics in the schools that he taught and was honored by the Macon Tiger Football Team in 1988. Among other things, Pat enjoyed country music, camping, hunting, and fishing. Probably one of his happiest moments in life was a tug on his fishing line, tramping through the woods hunting game, or when Mizzou won a game, as he was an avid Mizzou fan.
In October 2015, Pat was among the first Veterans to participate in the Flightless Honor Flight sponsored by the Honor Flight Network of Kansas City. On this day this special group of Veterans were honored for their service to our country.
He was a member of the St. Patrick's Church of Butler and was a member at the VFW Post 1935 of Adrian. He and his wife owned & operated Vision Housing Rentals in Garden City for 12 years.
We celebrate his life, his many accomplishments and will cherish the loving memories that he created for his family and friends.