Douglas Ray Bowles

1958 - 2024

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Douglas Ray Bowles, 66, of Visalia, California, announces his passing on December 22, 2024, at home in the loving care of his family. Doug was born on July 16th, 1958, to his parents Glyn and Shirley Bowles in South Carolina. Growing up and working in agriculture, Doug followed in his
father's footsteps, enlisting in the Air Force at the age of 18 after he graduated from Porterville High School in 1976. He served during a time of peace where there was no active war but nonetheless made himself and his family proud by serving in medical units where he helped his fellow American soldiers. After serving four years in the Air Force he was honorably discharged and spent a brief period in the early 1980s as a reserve for the Porterville Police Department before continuing his passion for helping others and creating a lifelong career in the medical field. Doug began working in convalescent homes during the 1990s and moved his way up to Administrator when he returned to college at the age of 46 and was featured in the Porterville Recorder in 2004 for being the oldest graduate from Porterville College, which served as an inspiration that age is just a number when you are dedicated and put your mind and energy into achieving your goals. Doug continued to work as a convalescent home Administrator in several facilities spanning 20 years where he brought his integrity, strong work ethic, fairness, and passion to each one. Doug touched the lives of many during his career and created friendships that he cherished to the day of his passing.
Doug met his first wife Karen in 1982, where they started a family, and he became a father to Christina, Stephanie, and Daniel. The family grew even bigger when he married his second wife Ruth in 2001, and he gained two more daughters, Dawn and Misty. Doug and Ruth shared 12 years of love, laughter, and friendship together before the devastating loss of Ruth in 2013. Doug was many wonderful things, a son, brother, husband, father, Papa, uncle, coworker, and friend. He is preceded in death by his parents Glyn and Shirley, the love of his life, Ruth, brother Gordon "Skeet" Bowles, sister Carolyn Bowles, and son in law Robert Merjil. He is survived by his four daughters, Dawn, Christina, Misty, and Stephanie, son in laws Tim and Matt, brothers Glyn and Jeff, nine grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, and many nephews and nieces. He leaves behind a legacy of unmatched kindness, wisdom, and limitless humor that will live on in all of us, that in hopes continues to make him proud each and every day. Shortly before his passing, Doug said, "Some days will be ok, and some days will be hard, and the next thing you know, I will be gone. I just want you all to know that I love you very much. Live without guilt, it will help make the loss less painful because we can't change the past. Remember all of the good and happy times, but don't be so strong that you don't allow yourself to grieve for me." Doug was a one of a kind man who is, and will always be, loved and missed immensely.
Funeral services will be held at Myer's Funeral Home Chapel at 248 N. E St., Porterville, CA, on January 17th at 11 am. Graveside interment will be
held privately at a later date.