Jim David Bowen

Jim David Bowen died March 17, 2025, in Alpine, Texas, from the flu. Jim was 78 and a half years old. He was born in Fort Davis, Texas on September 4, 1946, and raised by Goldie and Larry A. Martin, in Houston, Texas. After attending Deady Junior High and Milby High School in the Houston area, he decided to join the military.

He joined the U.S. Navy at age 17. He spent six years in active service with multiple deployments to Vietnam. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal; Combat Action Ribbon; Vietnamese Honor Medal (2nd Class); Navy Unit Commendation (2nd Award); Vietnam Service Medal (w/1 Gold Star); Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (with Gallantry Cross); and the Good Conduct Medal.

After finishing with his military duties Jim enrolled in law enforcement school and pursued a career within law enforcement. He was proud to be counted as a former sheriff of Nassau Bay, Texas; a former deputy sheriff of Midland and later worked several security jobs in Midland. He retired to Alpine, Texas, where his family has been for many generations.

Jim greatly enjoyed the interaction with his step grandchildren and step great grandchildren. He tried to teach them baseball and found he no longer could actually play baseball which caused great entertainment. He loved playing the lottery and lemon meringue pie. Jim would make Santa Claus come alive for the children each Christmas in Ojinaga, Mexico.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Goldie and Larry A. Martin of Alpine, Texas, and his sister, Reba S. Gill of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jim's loving wife, Alejandra Bowen, will have his memory to live on in her heart. Jim is also survived by his sister, Laura and R. G. Decker of Alpine. Jim was close to many of his step-children including Magaly Rayos, Daniella Stone, Cindy Rayos, Jessica Rayos, and Jim Rayos; all of Ojinaga, Mexico. Nieces and nephews of Jim include Leann Sanchez with Frank Reimer of Seminole, Tx; Susan and Albert Reyna of San Antonio, Texas; Bill Palmer of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Julie Elliott-Cramer of Alpine, Jennifer and Brandon Shelton of Alpine, John and Nikki Decker of Boerne, Texas; and Jacob and Candie Decker of Boerne, Texas.

Services for Jim will be held at Alpine Memorial Funeral Home in Alpine, Texas on March 24, 2025, in the Alpine Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with a visitation beginning at 2 PM which will conclude with military honors at 4:00 PM.

Any donations should be to your favorite Veterans organization.