James (Jim) Bowen

James Harmon Bowen, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and son entered into eternal rest peacefully on Saturday, April 29, 2023 after a long, hard battle with Alzheimer’s.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco, Texas with Chaplain Kara Leslie officiating.

Jim was born in Odessa, Texas. He graduated from high school at Waco High.
Jim worked at the family business, Bowen Grinding & Machine, during the summer to help cover college expenses, after graduating from UT Arlington with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He became a Licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Texas in July 1975.
Jim’s first job out of college was with Pan American Petroleum (later to become Amoco) in Odessa, Texas where he met his future wife, Sue Herring. They had their first date on July 4, 1967 at a rodeo in Pecos and were married later that year on October 21, 1967. Jim and Sue were married for 55 years.

Jim and Sue moved to Arlington, Texas where he began working for LTV-Ling Tempo Vaught and she transferred with Amoco. In 1069 they moved to Waco, Texas where Jim went to work for General Dynamics until they closed their Waco plant. He went on to work for Lochridge Priest Heating and Air Condition, working his way up to become Vice-President of the company. He and a partner received the Carrier franchise in Temple, Texas. His career continued with Surgikos in Waco, Texas until the company moved its operations to Mexico, then on to Hercules in McGregor, Texas until that plant closed. He ended his career working for McNamara Custom Services in China Spring, Texas.

Jim’s hobbies were flying, photography (especially of his grandkids), Bass fishing and painting beautiful landscapes with Bluebonnets.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Jewell Bowen; sister, Gayla Jan McGee; brother, Larry Ben Bowen; brothers-in-law, David Smith and Harry Lynn Herring; mother-in-law, Lorraine Herring and father-in-law, Herman L. Herring.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sue; son, James Clinton Bowen and wife Stephanie; grandchildren, Seth Andrew and Lauren Paige Bowen; great-granddaughter, Elaine Sophia Bowen; beloved sister, Norma Jo Smith; brother-in-law, Tommy Herring and wife Sue of Hobbs, New Mexico; sister-in-law, Georgia Lee Bowen; brother-in-law, Michael Albert McGee; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

The family would like to extend many sincere thank-yous to Elaine, DJ, Josh, and Willie of Loving of Life Respite and Retreat for the excellent care they provided to Jim during his last year and to Compassus Hospice staff.