Eugene Clifford (Gene) Bowdish, 80, of Davenport, Iowa, passed away on June 7, 2015, at the Genesis Medical Center-West campus.
The son of the late Steve and Dorothy (Hartman) Bowdish, he was born in Valentine, Nebraska, on June 18, 1934.
Gene served in the United States Navy aboard the aircraft carriers USS Kearsarge, USS Bennington and the USS Coral Sea as a helicopter mechanic. He was honorably discharged September 7, 1956 with honors.
He was a professional photographer while residing in Leonard, Missouri and then worked for 23 years at Caterpillar in Davenport until his retirement. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed camping and fishing.
Preceding him in death were his parents; sisters, Cheryl Snowbarger and Carolyn Tuck.
Survivors include his wife, Rosie; daughters, Becky Armentrout and Fannie Gaw; sons, Joe and Clifford Bowdish; stepchildren, Debbie Phelps, Gilbert Phelps and Dixie Peterson; 14 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; sisters, Darlene Crouch and Karen Small; and brothers, Richard and Steve Bowdish.
Gravesite services will be held on Thursday, June 11th at the Memphis Cemetery with Pastor Jack Sumption officiating. Military graveside rites will be performed by the Wallace W. Gillespie Memorial Post #4958 of Memphis.
Memorials are suggest to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or donor’s choice.
3 comments
Peace be with you all. His photo is exactly how I remember him. RIP.
Rest in peace Uncle Gene. Thoughts and Prayers for your family!
To The Family of Gene Bowdish,
On behalf of the members of The USS BENNINGTON P.A.C.T., please accept our belated condolences on the loss of your loved one.
We thank you for Gene’s service to God & Country. At this most difficult time please know that our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family. I personally would also like to inform you that on August 15th of this year, shipmate Gene shall be recognized at our Annual Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony in Bennington, VT, at our actual ship’s bell monument. As Gene’s name is read from a listing of “Those Who Have Gone Before Us”, the actual ship’s bell will toll in his memory.
Rest In Peace Shipmate………..
With My Deepest Sympathy,
Joseph L. Pires
“former” USS BENNINGTON Historian
Vietnam Veteran
Calabash, NC
jkpires@atmc.net
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