Traverse City Record-Eagle

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November 4, 2012

Philip C. Bowden

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KINGSLEY — Mr. Philip C. Bowden, age 93, died peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012. Philip was born on Dec. 19, 1918, in Summit City, to William and Nora Bowden.

After graduating from Kingsley High School in 1939 he served in World War II for 4 ½ years in the First Armored Division. Philip saw combat in the North African Campaign and was awarded two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars before returning to serve at the Ogden, Utah Army Service Forces Depot, where he supervised Italian and German POW maintaining army equipment.

Philip married Betty Knight while he was in the service. They celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary last January.

Following his military service, Philip began a 36-year career with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Division, where he became an area manager overseeing fisheries habitat improvement. He was involved early in introducing salmon to the great lakes.

Philip was 32nd degree Mason and member of the Saladin Shriners. Philip and Betty believed in community service and planted the first petunias in the Village of Kingsley. They provided the clock tower on the new local branch library.

Philip is survived by his wife, Betty, of Kingsley; daughter, Gay (Duane) Travis, of Kingsley; and son, Mike (Susan) Bowden, of Dimondale. He is also survived by grandchildren, Ben (Laura) Travis, of Eben Junction, Rebecca Travis (Mason Showalter), of Elk Rapids, Elizabeth (Joshua) Sausville, of New York City, Caroline Bowden, of Chicago, and Thomas Bowden, of Philadelphia; and great-grandchildren, Mitchell Travis and Wallace Showalter. A cousin, Kurt (Nancy) Bowden, of Traverse City, and a niece, Linda Newman, of Kalkaska, also survive.

His parents, his brother, Reo Bowden, many relatives and friends, and special army buddies, Bob Collins and Clarence Weber, preceded Philip in death.

Special Army buddy, Ray Dobson, survives Philip.

A memorial service will be held at the family cabin on the Manistee River in the spring.

Contributions in memory of Philip may be made to Kingsley Friends of the Library Endowment Fund.

Please share your condolences at www.CovellKingsley.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Covell Funeral Home in Kingsley; (231) 263-5522.

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