David William Bowen

DAVID WILLIAM BOWEN

“OLD MAN BOWEN”

October 4, 1944 ~ August 30, 2016

David William Bowen, 71, passed away at Montrose Memorial Hospital August 30, 2016 after a long illness.

David was born to Richard and Maurine (Wyler) Bowen on October 4th, 1944 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  He grew up in several states including Colorado, Indiana, and Iowa.  After graduating from the University of Northern Colorado in 1967, he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada.  He began his 30 year teaching career in Las Vegas; in which he taught woodshop at KO Knudsen Middle School, Roy Martin Middle School, Bonanza High School and woodshop and drafting at Cimarron Memorial High School.  He also taught drafting at Clark County Community College of Southern Nevada.   After retiring, he and his wife, Joni moved to Montrose, Colorado in 1997.  He taught woodshop for one year at Columbine Middle School before retiring for good.  He had the privilege of teaching over 7,000 students in his 31 years of being a teacher. It was his students at Bonanza High School that gave him his nickname of “Old Man Bowen”.

David enjoyed woodworking, genealogy, fishing, gardening, and talking, talking, talking! One great joy in his life was building his family home in Las Vegas in which he raised the majority of his children. This ignited a new passion to draw others’ homes around the community and started a business while in Montrose, CO called Great Western CAD.

David was a member of the Spring Creek Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where he served faithfully in many positions. Many would say this was his greatest joy, responsibility, and greatest lesson to and for his children and everyone around him.

He will be remembered for his positive attitude, friendly demeanor, giving service to others and his unconditional love of his family.  All of his children were so important to him, but it was his 11 grandchildren who had his heart.  They are Amanda, Jessica, Caleb, Bella, Reagan, Hailey, Trista, Tannar, Brody, Stetson and Ryker.

He is survived by his wife Joni Lynne (Barton) Bowen; his children – Deborah (Bowen) & Roy Brandt, Deanne (Bowen) Clary, Thom & Gigi Bowen, Tasha Tejada, Brittney Tejada, Megan (Bowen) & Mike Mason, Mark & Kristi Bowen, Joseph & Crystal Tejada, Jeff & Jessica Bowen, Shelby (Bowen) & Caleb Schiller & 11 grandchildren; his mother, Maurine (Wyler) Bowen; two brothers – Jim & Maryanne Bowen and Mark & Jane Bowen.

He was preceded in death by his father, Richard William Bowen and his daughter, Susan Maurine Bowen.

There will be a viewing for David at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 3, 2016 with a Funeral Service to follow at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 21028 Uncompahgre Road in Montrose, Colorado.  Burial will take place at 1:00 pm on Saturday at Grand View Cemetery in Montrose, Colorado.  Condolences may also be sent to the family at www.crippinfuneralhome.com.   Arrangements are under the care of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory in Montrose.

We would like to give special thanks to the staff at Montrose Memorial Hospital, Dr. Mindy Miller & her office staff, Downtown City Market Pharmacy staff, Air Options, and Hope West Hospice staff.  In lieu of flowers, we would invite you to donate to the LDS Education Fund, the local library, or Hope West Hospice.