Stephen Keith Bowlin

Stephen ("Steve") Keith Bowlin was born on February 24, 1955 to William Hugo Bowlin and Augustine Janett (Ryder) Bowlin in Vinita, Oklahoma. Between Vinita, Los Angeles, and Bowlin Springs, he enjoyed a happy childhood filled with simple pleasures, like catching crickets and adventuring through creek beds.

Steve attended Sunrise Baptist Church under the leadership of his grandfather, Reverend Buster L. Brown, and was baptized at an early age.

After graduating from Vinita High School, class of 1973, he was off to California.

In 1974, Steve landed in San Diego, California to live with his Uncle Fred and Aunt Martha M. Ryder. They welcomed him with loving, open arms.

Rooted in faith, he became an active congregant, first at Bayview Baptist Church (under Pastor Timothy Winters) and then at The Rock Church (under Pastor Miles McPherson), while attending a weekly Bible study among friends, led by Dexter Prince.

Steve was also a family man. But more than a son, brother, husband, and father, he was a steady guiding force. A compadre. A mentor. A cherished neighbor. A hero. His five children, Stephen, Angela, David, Tamara, and Yvette, and eventually, his eight grandchildren (Ariana, Felix, Maya, Sophia, Emily, Alexis, Remi, and Reaux) were the pride of his life. If he wasn't sharing family photos of them, you'd be tickled pink at all his latest stories.

His presence was larger than life - a student of the world, a wise confidant, a man who loved to laugh, debate politics, and gather with friends for dinner. He found peace working in the yard, grilling hamburgers for a pool party, cuddling with his grandkids, or walking his dogs, Asia, Chiba, and Hana. Life, for him, was enriched by love and measured by genuine connection.

Starting out, Steve worked as a skilled salesman and mechanic at Dorman's and Goodyear. But his true calling came when he graduated from the San Diego 25th Fire Academy in 1981. He quickly rose through the ranks in the San Diego Fire Department (SDFD): from engineer, to Captain, to Battalion Chief. Rather than "retiring", he got a second wind as instructor and program developer at Southwestern College (SWC) in the Fire Science Department. His accolades abound. Steve devoted his life to service, humbly committed to training firefighters both at SDFD and SWC. He even enjoyed a few years working security for Marriott and driving the shuttle at SD Airport Parking Co.

An avid sports fan, basketball player, investor, and history buff, Steve was a man of many passions.

Passionate, too, about building up the future generation. He is remembered as "Coach" to St. Rita's basketball and football teams from 1986-1995. Whether calling plays from the sidelines, or encouraging sportsmanship in a huddle, he never lost sight of the objective: to have fun.

Steve transitioned on March 7, 2025 in the late afternoon, literally surrounded by adoring fans.

He is survived by his wife, Masayo Takeda Bowlin, and is fondly remembered by his former spouses, Dolores Santana and Ofelia Baker, with whom he shared years of friendship, parenthood, and cherished memories. His legacy includes children Stephen (Jessica), Angela (Felix), David, Tamara (Cliff), and Yvette (Cecil); siblings Suzanne (Scott), Marcus (Rachel), Valarie, and Shella (Terrence); nephews Stephen Payne, Jaxsen Bowlin, Hendrix Bowlin; nieces Asia Bowlin, Krystal Francis, Candace Stock, Meagan Stock, Charlize Torchiani; uncles Doug, Doyle, and Hubert; cousins Keith, Ronnie, John Jr., Deborah, and Gayle; among many extended family and life-long friends.

We take comfort in the knowledge that his spirit remains in every belly laugh, every Steelers win, and every act of kindness we carry forward.

Rest easy Chief. Your watch is over, but your fire burns on.

Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemoriesvinita.com or on the funeral home Facebook page. Arrangements are in the care of Luginbuel Funeral Home. “Family owned. Locally operated.”