James C. Stowell

James "Jim" Clyde Stowell, age 80, of Rutledge, MN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, with family by his side. Jim was born on April 21, 1944, in Brainerd, MN, to Clyde and Lila (Johnson) Stowell. He was the youngest of six children. He grew up on a small farm near Brainerd and attended church with his family. He graduated from Brainerd High School in 1962 and enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduation. He proudly served his country for four years. He helped erect and service radio towers overseas along with other military duties. He was in a US Air Force secret organization named Geeia.
In 1965, he married Karen Wisti and they had two children, Amy and Kelly. They divorced 17 years later. After the service, he came home to Brainerd to run his father's furniture store. He had a few different jobs that took him and his family across the country. They moved to Cloquet around 1972 where he worked at family businesses. He spent weekends with his family camping and racing.
In 1983, he met Bonnie who shared his love for camping, racing, and car shows. He gained three bonus daughter's, Tina, Heather & Melissa. Their special friendship lasted almost 40 years. They spent every weekend during the Summers at the Island Lake Campground in Cromwell, MN, for close to 40 years. You would find them fishing for Walleye during the day, grilling in the late afternoon and sitting around a bonfire with family and friends during the evenings. They traveled to the Brainerd International Raceway (BIR) every year. Jim would race his cars and be there to support his friends who were racing as well.
Pursuing his greatest passion, Jim started his own business restoring muscle cars and hemi motors. He was "Mr. Mopar." He was known in this region as a Mopar expert. His family joked that he could rebuild a Hemi motor with his hands tied behind his back and a blindfold on. Whether it was timing an engine, tearing it down or rebuilding it, there was nothing he liked better. Mopar enthusiasts came from near and far to learn his trade and be a part of his garage crew. They became known at the "Mopar Posse."
Jim's second greatest passion was deer hunting and spending time with family at the hunting shack in Meadowlands, MN.
Jim was a member of the NHRA, Minnesota Deer Hunter's Association, and NRA.
Jim is survived by his children; Amy (Andy) Clark, Kelly (Ricky) Mize, Tina (Steve) Buscher, Heather (Troy) Sutherland, and Melissa McDonnell; grandchildren, Abrianna (Luke) Kremer, Aaron Clark, Rhianna Stowell-Felton, Sarah (Skyler) Franta, Tristan Olson, Jackson Buscher, Tyler Olson, Nicole Buscher, Samuel Olson, and Brady McDonnell; great grandchildren, Jameson, Ellowyn Delight, Jonah, Adalise (Gitta), Harlow, and Mazikeen; sister in law, Rosie Stowell; special nephews, Rick (Dana) Stowell and Gary (Candi) Stowell; and many other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Eugene (Shirley) Stowell, Donna (Arthur) Siegel, Charlotte Martin, Eldon (Alyce) Stowell, and Robert Stowell; loving friend and companion, Bonnie Sanford; and his beloved dog, Troubles.
Per Jim's request, there will be no services.