Wayne Douglas Bowden, age 92, passed away on November 7, 2024, at Memorial Hospital in Modesto, California. He was born in Skiatook, Oklahoma and was preceded in death by his parents Jetty Leonard and Byrdmon Zada Bowden, his three brothers J. L. Bowden, Lloyd Bowden and Eugene Bowden, as well as, his grandson, Jordan Austin.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Margaret Bowden, of Ceres, California; Jeneen Sevedge, mother of his three children, Mark Bowden (Karen), Rock Bowden (Maria), Jennifer (Bowden) Austin (Josh); seven stepchildren, Lisa Peterson-Thomas (Ned), Kurtis Peterson and Lianne Peterson-Sharp (Richard), Cheryl Covert, Karen McGee (Jesse), Mike Varrelman, and Patricia Ruggielo; six grandchildren Chris Bowden, Holly Bowden, Marissa Bowden, Jason Austin, Justin Austin and Joshua Austin; four step grandchildren Timothy Pineda, Matthew Avilla-Thomas, Andrew Thomas, and Garrett Sharp; thirteen great-grandchildren Jacob Bowden, Hayden Bowden, Raylan Bowden, Brenton Aguilera, Preston Austin, Aubrianna Austin, Avanleigh Austin, Adelaide Austin, Ashlyn Austin, Zayne Austin, Adelina Austin, Alyza Austin, and Bowden Austin; and one step great-grandson, Nathaniel Avilla-Thomas.
Wayne lived with his parents and siblings in Skiatook, Oklahoma until he was six years old when the family left the state and moved to Southern California. Then, in 1942 the Bowdens migrated to Merced where they purchased property and settled on Santa Fe Highway where Wayne’s father was a cattleman and business owner.
In high school, Wayne played football and was on the team when they worked their way to the top and went to the state championship game undefeated. After the final victory, they became known as the 1950 Merced High Valley Football Champs. Following high school, Wayne served in the United States Air Force where he trained as an electrician. Subsequently, Wayne worked for Ferrero Electric Company in Merced and eventually opened his own business, together with his late wife, Jeanne Bowden, as Bowden Electric, Inc., located in Ceres, California. After retiring from Bowden Electric, Inc., Wayne and his wife, Margaret, built and managed Silo Mini Storage also located in Ceres. He was known as a local businessman and family man. He enjoyed taking his family to Lake McClure for boating and water activities while camping on his houseboat, in addition to watching sports at home, especially the Oakland A’s and Oakland Raiders. Wayne passed from this life showing his support for the MAGA movement wearing his favorite Trump hats.
The family will greet guests for visitation from 10:00 am until 11:00 am on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, followed by a Celebration of Life service beginning at 11:00 am and a brief graveside service immediately after. Services will be held at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, 1490 B. Street in Merced, California.
