Blake Thomas Bowen

Staff Sergeant Blake Bowen, 27, of San Clemente, CA, passed away on October 5, 2025. Born on July 10, 1998, in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Blake spent most of his life in Springdale before briefly residing in Texas. In 2017, he answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps.
After graduating from Boot Camp, Blake attended MOS school at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twenty-Nine Palms, where he earned the designation of 2847 Communications Maintainer. His first assignment was with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment at Camp Pendleton. It was there that Blake's unwavering drive to serve at the highest level led him to pursue a position in the Scout Sniper Platoon.
Following a successful selection process, Blake demonstrated the grit and determination required to attend the Scout Sniper Basic Course. To do so, he first completed a lateral move to become an 0311 Rifleman in 2019, training at the Infantry Training Battalion. In 2020, Blake began the grueling 13-week Scout Sniper Basic Course at Advanced Infantry Training Battalion West. Through sheer perseverance and mental fortitude, he earned the elite title of Marine Scout Sniper.
Blake deployed twice with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines-once in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and again as part of the Battalion Landing Team on the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. In 2023, he transitioned to the School of Infantry West, where he graduated from the Marine Combat Instructor Course and became a Squad Instructor at the Infantry Training Battalion.
During his tenure, Blake trained over 550 Marines across four training cycles, shaping the next generation of warfighters with his unmatched dedication and leadership. Later, he joined the Scout Cadre, where he trained an additional 175 Marines in ground reconnaissance and surveillance over nine cycles.
Blake made an immediate and lasting impact on every Marine he instructed and mentored. His legacy lives on in the more than seven hundred Marines he challenged, mentored, and pushed beyond their limits, each one a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence.
Blake is survived by his loving family, who remember him as a devoted son, brother, and friend. His courage, humility, and unwavering commitment to others will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
A memorial service honoring SSgt Blake Bowen will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 11:00am at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home, located at 100 S 28th St, Rogers, AR 72758. Family, friends, and fellow Marines, are invited to attend and celebrate his life and legacy.