James Conan Bowker

James Conan Bowker, 74, passed away Monday, September 30, 2024 surrounded by family after fighting cancer for a year.
Jimmy was born December 14, 1949 to Charles Clifford and Martha Elynor Jackson Bowker.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Charles Clifford, Jr. He was also preceded in death by his in laws, Troy and Gladys Owens.
Survivors include the love of his life, Sandy Bowker; brothers and a sister in law, Kyle Bowker; Kevin and Lindi Bowker; sisters in law and brothers in law, Pam and Gordon Tiner; Kay and Rich Kincl; children, Mandy and Adam Moore; Russell and Samantha Bowker; his adoring grandchildren that called him JJ: Blakeny, Canon, Beckham and Kinsler.
Jimmy also leaves behind nephews and nieces, Owen Tiner; SarahVi and Ryan Pate; Lacy and Jimmy Smith; Barry and Dusti Kincl; Ryan and Britt Bowker; Kelby Bowker.
Jimmy graduated from John Tyler High School in 1968 and then attended Tyler Junior College where he met Sandy. They married and raised their family together for 53 years. Jimmy was saved when he was 21 years old and became a member of First Baptist Church Mineola where he taught Sunday School, helped with the youth group, and supported Sandy with her involvement in the choir. He worked for Buford Television (KLTV) in Lufkin and was also a banker before moving to Mineola in 1977 to run the Sears Catalog Store alongside Troy, Gladys and Sandy until it closed in 1993. He then worked for Union Pacific Railroad as a brakeman and an engineer while dabbling in used car sales. After he retired from the railroad, he became a car salesman full time with Bob Smith. Jimmy settled into full retirement just last year. He served his community through the Kiwanis Club, School Board, and coaching little league softball/baseball and RA basketball. He never met a stranger and he loved people. However, what he loved the most in this world were his grandchildren. As long as he could, he chased those kids watching everything they did including cheer, dance, gymnastics, volleyball, football, basketball, track and of course softball/baseball. He was happiest when his whole family was at his house, but loved it most when they spent the night. Jimmy taught his family to love unconditionally and to appreciate the time you have with other people.
The service for Jimmy will be 10:00 am, Saturday, October 12, 2024 at First Baptist Church Mineola. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to First Baptist Church Mineola or Hospice of East Texas Tyler.