James “Jim” Allen Bowers Jr., age 94, went to join the Lord on April 6 after having lived a full and wonderful life.
Mr. Bowers was born in Birmingham, Ala. After graduation from the University of Alabama, he entered the U.S. Air Force as a second lieutenant and served for 30 years. The latter part of his military career was with the Tennessee Air National Guard as a liaison officer with the Air Force Reserve, serving under Gen. Lawrence A. Skantze at Systems Command Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Bowers joined the Jostens Co. in the late 1950s. After one year, he was called to active duty in Ramstein, Germany, where he served until a crisis ended. He returned to Knoxville and rejoined Jostens, where he was one of the company’s top salesmen.
Mr. Bowers was a member of Holy Ghost Parish, where he served at 6:30 a.m. Mass almost every day from 1995 until just before he died. He was a well-known leader, motivator, and philanthropist, and he supported a number of charities, including the Catholic Church, Ladies of Charity, Boys Town, Little Sisters of the Poor, University of Alabama, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the University of Tennessee.
His contributions to the civic community also were numerous as evidenced by his service as president of Knoxville’s Junior Chamber of Commerce, his work with the U.S. Air Force Association and with the Tennessee Air National Guard, and many other organizations.
Mr. Bowers was a motivated, happy person who lived his life with great gusto and joy. He loved to go to his home on Longboat Key, Fla., and traveled to Colorado to ski every year from 1982 to 1995. He loved Alabama football and attended every game he could. He also was an avid University of Tennessee fan.
He also loved flying. After his time in the Air Force, he flew his own private planes for some 30 years. He especially enjoyed making good Samaritan flights for people in need. He was known throughout the country as a superb aviator who had flown every kind of plane. His love of flying was centered mostly on fighter jets such as the F-102 and the F-104.
Mr. Bowers is preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Lee Thomas Bowers; parents James Allen and Ruth Alyce Williamson Bowers; brothers Lloyd, Patrick, and David Bowers Sr.; sister Ruth A. Bowers; brother-in-law Floyd and wife Billie Womack; and sister-in-law Schlaine Thomas.
He is survived by a brother, John Bowers; sister and brother-in-law Rose and Richard Turner; sister-in-law Rosie Bowers; brother-in-law Joe Thomas; and special nieces and their families Sherry Lee Bell (John, Madalyn, and Ella), and Tina Marquita Dotson (David and Grace). He also is survived by his very special friend and companion, Norma K. Bailey, and his longtime friend and assistant, Virginia Tarver.
A funeral Mass for Mr. Bowers was celebrated on April 12 at Holy Ghost Church, with Father John Dowling serving as the celebrant and Father Bill McNeeley serving as the concelebrant. Burial followed at Sherwood Memorial Gardens in Alcoa. Donations in Mr. Bowers’ memory may be made to Holy Ghost Parish or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.