James Edward Bowen

James (Jim) Edward Bowen of Boise, passed away May 20, 2019 at the age of 92. He was born September 6, 1926 in Baltimore, Maryland. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00, Monday June 3, 2019 at St Mark’s Catholic Church 7960 W. Northview, Boise.

He was predeceased by his wife Mary Lee (Terry) Bowen of Boise on December 1, 2010 and his oldest son Thomas David Bowen of Boise on December 15, 2013.

He is lovingly remembered by his children John Bowen, Susan Phillips, Joseph Bowen, Mary Theresa Alania, and Robert Bowen; and by 13 Grandchildren and 23 Great-Grandchildren.

Deacon Jim was 8 years old in 1934 watching his unemployed father pace the sidewalk as the last of the family’s belongings were auctioned off when he made up his mind he would always have work and enough money to do what he wanted. He managed to make good on that decision made in the midst of the Great Depression through hard work and lots of help from God. He had one brother, who was a priest, and one sister who still lives in Westminster.

After finishing high school in 1944, Jim joined the Navy for two years of active duty. He was an electronics technician and worked on Navy planes. After the war he attended Loyola College in Baltimore majoring in physics and mathematics. He graduated in 1949 and went to work as a newspaper photographer capitalizing on his long-standing hobby. On September 9, 1950 he married Mary Lee Bowen at a ceremony his brother, Father John W Bowen SS witnessed. But before he and Terry could settle down, Deacon Jim was recalled by the Navy. Over the next few years the Bowens were stationed in Corpus Christi, Tx, Norfolk, Va, and San Diego, Ca. During these years three of their six children were born.

By 1956, Jim decided he wanted to be home with the family so he retired from active duty and went to work for General Dynamics Corporation as an electronics design engineer working his way up to program director. Three more children were born by 1959 and the family moved to Washington, DC, New York, NY, Rochester, NY and then back to San Diego in 1970. During those years the Bowens tried to make the Lord the center of their lives as he does today. They served in their parish and community in whatever ways they could. “We made a decision in early 1960 that we would give back to God 10 percent of everything we received,” said Deacon Jim. “God told us in scripture that he won’t be outdone in generosity, and he hasn’t been. He has been generous with us, not just because we give in money and service, but because he loves us.”

In the late 1970’s, Jim answered the Lord’s “very quiet” call. He and Terry were active in their parish and when the pastor suggested they go to a meeting on deacon formation, they went. After hearing more about the diaconate Jim said yes knowing it was something they could do together as wives of men studying for the diaconate go through the courses with with. The kids were raised and it was time to grow and improve their education. Four years later in 1982 Deacon Jim was ordained.

After his full retirement from General Dynamics in 1983 at age 56, the Bowens were asked to work in Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish in San Diego. Jim was appointed associate pastor. He served as the administrator for the parish and also performed baptisms, weddings, and funerals. He was in charge of getting the parish center built too. And, he earned his masters degree in pastoral studies through the Loyola Institute of Ministry Extension program. When the pastor left the parish, Deacon Jim was appointed acting pastor for several months until a new pastor was found.

In 1988, when a daughter living in Idaho was having serious problems with her pregnancy, the Bowens made a decision to retire from Our Lady of Mount Carmel and move to Idaho. They also had a son and his family in Boise. “God has always shown me where to go next,” said Deacon Jim. “Moving to Idaho just seemed like a natural progression. Everything seemed to fit.”

Two years later, while serving as a deacon at St. Mark’s Parish in Boise, Jim became acquainted with Bishop Tod Brown who asked him to be chancellor for the diocese. He worked at the Diocesan Pastoral Center as a chancellor three days a week for ten years while continuing to serve at St. Mark’s, where he and Terry were in charge of Eucharistic Outreach. With the help of 50 other eucharistic ministers, they took communion to more than 125 people a week.

He and Terry enjoyed playing bridge, travel, and enjoying their children and families. Jim also enjoyed stamp collecting, projects around the house, and helping Terry in the garden. Deacon Jim counted among his greatest joys his marriage, his family, his deacon ordination, and his excellent health.