Charles David Bowles

(b 1922)

David Bowles, born in Barren County to Pearl Aline Hatcher and Fred Thomas Bowles, left his parents’ farm, and sisters Lela and Sylvia, at 18 to seek “a better life” in Louisville. Early on he boxed furniture for shipping and, at the insistence of his future brother-in-law, hired on as a machinist’s apprentice with the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, retiring from the L&N South Louisville Shops in 1982.

Bowles married his high school sweetheart, Mary Dortha Williams (d 2003), in a Louisville Methodist parsonage and was drafted into the US Navy. A seaman on the USS Missouri battleship, he witnessed the signing of the Japanese surrender documents aboard ship in Tokyo Bay. After the war, Dortha and David had one child, Philip David. They always lived in the Highland Park or Oakdale communities.

At the railroad shops, the machinist also served as a union steward, a safety officer, and an organizer and participant in the Friday lunchtime Christian services. In addition to his “day job” for the railroad, having attended barber college on the GI Bill, he worked most Saturdays as a weekend extra at established barber shops in South Louisville. He was also active as usher, steward and later a trustee in his neighborhood Southside Church of the Nazarene until he and Dortha transferred their membership to Christ’s Community Church of the Nazarene, New Albany, IN. A Sunday school teacher for over 40 years, Bowles held a Local Preacher’s license in the Kentucky District Church of the Nazarene.

In 2012, a fall and broken bones necessitated full-time care. After several months in rehab in Louisville, Bowles moved to St Paul’s Villa Assisted Living in San Diego and later to Glenflora Manor, where he died on April 21. Living in San Diego near his son, David was most energized by family gatherings and in-person visits, by occasional bus tours of the city, provided by the St Paul’s Senior Homes, and by Sundays with Phil at the San Diego First Church of the Nazarene, where he was active in the Fantastics Sunday school class. His love for God, family, his nation, and his native Kentucky were evident in his frequent glowing references to them.

David Bowles is survived by his son, Phil (Sharon); by three grandchildren, Tressa Smith (Warren), Colin (Terra), and Emily Caliga (Rachel); and by five great grandchildren.

Family and friends may gather Friday at Arch L Heady Funeral Home, 3601 Taylor Boulevard, between 4:00 and 8:00 PM (EDT). A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM (EDT) Saturday at Christ's Community Church of the Nazarene, 4920 Charlestown Road, New Albany, IN, the Rev Ron Freeland officiating. Guests may arrive at the church early, between 9:00 and 9:45 AM, for a viewing of the casket. Masks are requested by the family at the indoor gatherings. Bowles will be interred in the family plot of Smith’s Grove Cemetery, Warren County, KY, graveside observances beginning at 3:00 PM (CDT) Saturday.