Ben James Bowers

Our loving father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Ben James Bowers, passed away peacefully in his home on April 15, 2015. Ben was 82 years old. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years, Eugenia Korahaes Bowers. Ben and Eugenia made Greensboro their home for over 30 years.

In Greensboro, Ben served as Vice- President and Executive Editor of the Greensboro News and Record until his retirement in 1993. During his successful career, Ben also served on various community boards such as The United Arts Council, the Greensboro Education & Development Council, the Greensboro Sports Council, and the Greensboro /Guilford County Tourism Development Authority among many others. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Greensboro and an active member of St. Francis Episcopal Church.

Prior to living in Greensboro, Ben worked as Vice-President and Executive Editor of the Roanoke Times in Roanoke, Virginia for 10 years. He worked for newspapers in Petersburg and Norfolk Virginia as well. His career in the newspaper business began at the Farmville Herald in Farmville, Virginia where he graduated from Hampden-Sydney College in 1954 and met his future bride. Following college, Ben served in the Army. In addition to studying at Hampden- Sydney College, Ben did graduate work at Duke University and completed an Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.

A native of Baskerville, Virginia, Ben was born on December 27, 1932 to David Hunter and Magdalene Bowers, both deceased. Ben grew up on a farm with his three brothers, Edward, Herbert, and William (Ting) and his sister, Mabel. His love for his family motivated Ben to purchase and renovate his family homestead, which he has chosen to be his final resting place.

In addition to his accomplished career, Ben found true pleasure in his friendships, traveling, and the love of his family. Ben is survived in death by his brother Ting Bowers, of Richmond, Virginia; his son Mike and wife Tonda of Salem, Virginia; daughter Kathy and husband David Laing of Washington, D.C.; daughter Brenda and husband Mike Gregg of Lexington, Virginia, many friends, and his most faithful companion dog, Buddy. Ben and Eugenia’s children and six grandchildren, Emily and Sam Bowers, Hunter and Clay Laing, and John Michael and Ben Gregg, were their proudest accomplishment.

Ben Bowers was a good man. He was kind, generous, and full of joy. He had a gift for nurturing and developing friendships. He celebrated life with love, and his love was shared by many. He will be missed by the many people he touched. His faith gave him guidance and purpose in this life, and his assurance of peace in the next life gives comfort to those he leaves behind and those he will meet again. A celebration of his life will be held at 2 PM on Friday, April 17 at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Greensboro, North Carolina. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 PM tonight at Hanes-Lineberry N. Elm Chapel. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405 or American Cancer Society, POB 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or online at www.cancer.org. Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.