James Bowden Bowling

Jim Bowling passed away on July 12th, 2025, at the age of 55 while visiting his loving parents, Jim and Janie Bowling in Austin, Texas. Jim was a nurturing, caring, and generous man who loved his family and friends deeply. He also enjoyed his hobbies of cooking, playing music and boating, which were always more enjoyable in the company of others.

Jim was born in Memphis, Tennessee and lived in several locations across the south including Houston, Texas, Jackson, Mississippi, Dallas, Texas, and Camp Creek Lake in Franklin, Texas. He made wonderful lifelong friends in every town he lived.

Jim’s caring nature began when he was very young. Jimmy, as he was known to many, was a big kid from the time he was born. His mother likes to tell stories of Jimmy looking out for the smaller children in school. That theme carried on for the remainder of his life as he cared for many people through the years, putting the needs of others ahead of his own.

In 1987, Jim graduated from St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Jackson, Mississippi, where he created fantastic memories with his friends. Although he lettered in football and track, he was best known for his award-winning photography. He was loved by all and was awarded the Medal for Unselfish Service at his graduation ceremony for his generosity of spirit.

Following high school graduation, Jim attended Texas Christian University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Advertising and Public Relations. It was at TCU that his love for guitar playing grew. His father played guitar, so there was always music in their home, but at TCU he spent many hours with his friends playing guitars late into the night. Music is one of the many special talents that Jim shared with his friends and family. Later in life, he would play the guitar at his family’s lake house with anyone that would join him. Many friends and family have wonderful memories of singing along with Jim and his father.

J. Bowling Photography was established shortly after Jim’s college graduation. In 1991, he established a studio in the Deep Ellum area of Dallas providing commercial photography services to small businesses. He had a strong artistic talent for seeing the beauty in ordinary products. It was during that time that he developed strong friendships with other local businessmen in the Deep Ellum area that have become lifelong friends. He was also known for his generosity to the homeless in the area.

Jim met the love of his life, Trish Wiesedeppe, in 1995. They married in 1998 and had the other two loves of his life: his daughter, Juliet Bowling, in 2000 and his son, Will Bowling, in 2004. Then, Jim’s focus turned to the love and care of his beautiful children. He spent his days having tea parties and princess balls that then turned to football practices and campouts. During this time, he developed another one of his special talents, cooking and barbeque. He and his buddies were known to go to the lake house and barbeque cookoffs wearing shirts that said “No Kids, No Women, No Vegetables”.

The Bowling family spent many weekends with friends at Camp Creek Lake enjoying boating, fishing, music, food, and Texas sunsets. Many wonderful memories were made there that will never be forgotten. For the past few years, Jim has generously volunteered his time and efforts to the Easterly Fire Department where he developed new relationships within the Camp Creek Lake community. He was largely responsible for the growth of the Camp Creek Division of the volunteer fire services. He went on many runs assisting citizens with fires and other emergencies.

Jim’s nurturing spirit extended to animals including his cherished cats, Decca and Comet, as well as the many deer he fed at Camp Creek Lake.

Jim’s generosity towards all that he encountered will be remembered by many. He is survived by his children, Laura Juliet (Jules) Frances Bowling and William (Will) Lawrence Bowling of Dallas, Texas; his parents William James (Jim) Bowling and Janie Arlene Laux Bowling of Austin, Texas; his brother David Lawrence Bowling and his wife and son, Dalia Abdelhady and Ryan Bowling of Lund, Sweden; and his ex-wife Trish Bowling of Dallas, Texas, with whom he continued to have a strong loving relationship.

A Liturgy of the Word will be held at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Austin, Texas, on July 31st at 3pm followed by a Celebration of Life at the County Line BBQ at 4pm located at 6500 W. Bee Caves Rd., Austin, TX 78746.

The family requests that donations be made to the Easterly Fire Department at Camp Creek Lake in lieu of flowers. Donations can be made to PO Box 333, New Baden, TX 77870 or Venmo @Easterly-FireDepartment.