Daniel Bowen Sr.

Daniel Ward Bowen Sr. WINDSOR - Daniel Ward Bowen Sr. passed away at his home in Windsor, N.C., Dec. 6, 2008. He was 82 years old. Dan was born Aug. 23, 1926, in Windsor to Arthur Eugene "A.E." and Carrie Ward Bowen. He attended Windsor Elementary and High School and graduated from Georgia Military Academy (GMA) in College Park, Ga. He was in the Boy Scouts of America and played football. Upon graduation from military school, he joined the U.S. Navy. He was assigned to a brand new ship, a heavy cruiser, USS Saint Paul, nicknamed "The Snookie Poo." He was aboard ship for her shakedown cruise and served in the Pacific Campaign of World War II. The USS Saint Paul reportedly has the distinction of firing the last shot at the end of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War before being decommissioned and was in the bay at the signing of the peace treaty ending World War II. Dan is a "plank owner" and attended the most recent national shipmate reunion. Upon honorable discharge from the Navy, he enrolled at NC State College (now University) in Raleigh, N.C., on the GI Bill. He attended for three years as a chemical engineering major. While a student, he married the former Helen Lucille Wright of Beaufort, N.C. The couple moved to Windsor and raised five children, Mary Joyce Brady (Karl), DiAnne Bowen, Beverly Kirkman, Dan Bowen Jr. and Dorothy Nance (Keith). He has five grandchildren, four grandsons and one granddaughter: Will Kirkman, Karl Lee Brady Jr., Keith Nance Jr., Hunter Nance and Mary Laurel Brady. Dan worked for the family-owned business of A.E. Bowen and Sons Wholesale Grocer and served as president until he and Lucille established The Dan Bowen Insurance Agency in Windsor. Dan was active in the community. He was a president of the Jaycees and a "Most Distinguished JC" award recipient, a president of the PTA, a member of the community Board of Development, a member of the Bertie County School Bond Issue, one of the original directors of Hope House Foundation, a member of the Veterans of Foreign War and a Sunday school teacher and deacon at the Cashie Baptist Church. Most recently, he served on the Beautification Committee for the town of Windsor. Dan enjoyed gardening, writing, painting, photography, was an avid jazz enthusiast and liked to travel domestically and abroad. Dan will be dearly missed by family, friends and others who knew him as a Christian and patriotic American citizen. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in Cashie Baptist Church. The family will receive friends in Walker Funeral Home in Windsor from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Online condolences may be sent to www.walkerfh.net.