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Don Bowker Obituary
Mr. Don Neville Bowker, who was born in Santa Paula, on Feb. 12, 1923, passed away in his home in Visalia, Calif., Aug. 20, 2008, surrounded by his loving family.
After attending Naval Officer School at Harvard, Don was a Naval supply officer during World War II attached to the 38th Naval Construction Battalion serving in the Pacific from Tinian to Japan. He received a degree in business administration from the University of California Los Angeles, after his discharge, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and also met his first wife, Joanne Van Matre. Don began his career with Calavo in San Diego County, eventually returning to Ventura County as the first manager of the Calavo packing house in Santa Paula. He settled with his wife and two children in Ventura, where their third child was born. He became a stockbroker, which led him to having his own investment counseling firm for over 40 years. In 1989, he married Katherine Jane Mathias and settled in Visalia, Calif., where their daughter, Nina Katherine, was born. He was named to the Tulare County Grand Jury and served as foreman pro-tem from 1998-99. Don had a lifelong passion for travel, the family cabin at Huntington Lake, and tending to his avocado trees.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis Britton Bowker and Nina Richardson Bowker Culbertson; his brother, George Britton Bowker, and wife June Chiles Bowker; and nephew, Richard Britton Bowker of Santa Paula.
He is survived by his wife and daughter; his sister, Lydia Katherine Bowker; his first wife, Joanne, and their three children, Leigh Bowker Bashor Garcia, Stevan Britton Bowker, and Nancy Joanne Bowker; nieces, Pam Bowker Legan and Donna Dee Bowker; grandchildren, Eric Franklin Bashor, Neal Douglas Bashor, Sara Britton Bashor, Christopher Don Bowker, and Katherine Britton Bowker; and great-grandchildren, Elsa Leigh Bashor and Elias Rush Bashor.
A private celebration of life will be held and donations will be gratefully received by the Central California Blood Center.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Don Bowker
2 Entries
Gwen DeSantis
September 5, 2008
I am so sad to hear of Don's passing. I can't tell me how many times over the years I've thought of him and all of you. I have fond memories. I especially remember Don's wonderful warm smile and zest for life. I could always count on him for a "solid" view on any issue we'd discuss. You'll all be in my prayers.
With love, Gwen DeSantis
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Pam Legan
September 5, 2008
Dear Kathy, Nina, Leigh,Steve Nancy & Jo
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your Husband and Father.
I will always remember the times when I was growing up that I spent with him. I look back and can remember when he came home from the service and times spent at Nam and Lydy's at Christmas time.
He was a good person and will be missed by all I am sure, but he is in a better place.
All Our Love Pam, Doug and Bryan
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