James Jay Bowers

James Jay Bowers
In 1933, Jim was born at home in River Grove Illinois to his parents Clarence and Mary Pearl Bowers. He was the youngest of their 6 children, with Jim having 4 brothers and 1 sister. Early in his life he developed an interest in art and would copy drawings he saw in comic books. He often played with his brothers at nearby Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago and regularly attended Saturday action movies with his sister. In grade school he was elected the mayor of the class which required him to give a welcoming speech for which he received his first new piece of clothing that wasn't a sibling hand-me-down - a suit.
At Lane Tech high school in Chicago, he majored in art and ran on the high school track team and 3 city championship cross country teams. He sold newspapers at a corner newsstand and worked in a grocery store.
Following high school, he worked at the Chicago gas company to earn money for college. After attending Bradley University for 1 year, he enlisted in the United States Air Force for 4 years, finished at the top of his class in electronics school, and achieved the rank of Staff Sargent before returning to college on the GI Bill.
Jim returned to Bradley in 1957 where he became active in the Veterans Club and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1960. At Bradley, he met Judy Anderson, and they were married in 1961.
Jim turned his creativity and attention-to-detail into a career as a commercial artist. He firmly established himself in Peoria and then Milwaukee, winning many advertising art awards and eventually starting his own business in 1976 and working out of the house. He won over clients as a free-lance artist including regular work for Heritage Insurance for which he was selected from a field of 40 applicants. He took pride in his work and retired after running his own business for about 30 years.
Jim was a proud father of 3 children taking an active interest in their sports and education. He supported and attended their sporting events, taking off work for afternoon meets, and coaching some of their teams.
Jim was a lifelong fan of sports and had cherished stories of running track and cross country in high school, playing softball and basketball in the Air Force, and running and walking later in life. He greatly enjoyed following sports events of his children and grandchildren as well as rooting for local teams.
He was a Christian who used his talents for his church whenever artwork was needed whether for posters or a church logo, and ushering, serving on an evangelism committee, and on the publicity committee for 30 years.
His father and four brothers also served in the military and Jim honored them and other veterans by flying a U.S. flag daily.
He was kind, friendly, honest, modest, humorous, and a good neighbor. He liked gardening as his father had, photography, running, and communicating with friends. He enjoyed his 6 grandchildren whether it was babysitting, playing games, attending their events, talking, swapping stories, or just spending time with them.
Survived by wife Judy. Lovingfatherof Julie Anderson, Karen Strock (Jeffrey), and Brian Bowers (Jasmine). Grandfather of Megan, Sean,Blake, Elizabeth, Joseph and Audrey. Preceded by his parents Clarence and Mary Pearl Bowers, his brothers Robert, Donald, Patrick, and Douglas Bowers, and his sister Agnes Tyson.
Visitation on Saturday, January 4, 2025, starting at 3:30 pm until time of Service at 4:30 pm at CHURCH AND CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME, 15250 W. National Ave., New Berlin.
A livestream will be available beginning at 3:30 PM via the following link: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTczNTY1NTcxMjM0MzMyMiZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw== As well, you are welcome to return after the service and see a recording of the live stream for 90 days following the service.
Private interment at Highland Memorial Park, New Berlin.
If desired, in lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to Children's Wisconsin or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Church & Chapel Funeral Service Serving the Family Milw. 262-827-0659 Wauk. 262-549-0659 Online Obit, Condolences, Directions www.churchandchapel.com