James "Jaybo" Arthur Bowie

A visitation for Jaybo will be held Friday, July 15, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Cummings & Davis Funeral Home, 13201 Euclid Avenue, East Cleveland, Ohio 44112. A wake will occur Saturday, July 16, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM, 13201 Euclid Avenue, East Cleveland, Ohio 44112. A funeral service will occur Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 2:30 PM, 13201 Euclid Avenue, East Cleveland, Ohio 44112.

James Arthur “Jaybo” Bowie was born in Portland, Arkansas to the union of

Hezekiah Bowie, Jr and Girllean Bowie on February 10, 1952.

James accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age, and was baptized by the Rev. Geo. H. Caslin of

Second Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Cleve., OH. He was a former member of Antioch Baptist Church,

Buffalo, NY where he served in the Male Chorus. Until his homegoing James was a member of the

Refreshing Springs Missionary Baptist Church, Cleve., OH, under the leadership of Pastor David

Phillips, where he served as Deacon, as well as on the Praise and Culinary Teams.

James attended Cleveland Public Schools where he graduated from Glenville High School in January

1970. He went on to further his education at Case Western Reserve University, graduating from Ohio

Wesleyan

University in 1974, where he acquired his Bachelor’s Degree as well as his nickname, “Jaybo”.

Immediately after graduating college, on September 30, 1974 Jaybo enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a

Petty Officer. After having served 5 terms (20 years), he retired with honors on September 30, 1994

as a highly decorated, Chief Petty Officer, having earned multiple commendations. He continued in

service to the Federal Government as an employee at the Federal Bldg., Cleve., Ohio until his

retirement.

Jaybo was a loyal, devoted, dutiful, caring, loving and perpetually congenial servant of the Lord,

son, brother, cousin, uncle and friend, who truly never met a stranger. Of his many exceptional and

diverse talents, Jaybo stored in his memory, dates, times and events like a computer, and was the

Family Historian for his, as well as his extended families.

As founder of the Birthday Club for The Class of 1970 Reunion Committee Jaybo was particularly

gifted at selecting unique birthday cards for each

committee member, to commemorate their special day.

James Arthur “Jaybo” Bowie was preceded in death by three of his Siblings: Handy, Henry and Mary, as well as his Parents: Hezekiah and Girllean. He is survived by one Aunt: Lillie Mae Mitchell (Kenosha, WI), two Brothers: Deacon, Van Roy I (Kathleen), and John, both of Mesa, AZ, four Sisters (all of Cleve., OH): Gloria Brown (Robert), Viola, Callie Gatewood and Pearl (our youngest), five Nieces: Sarah (DeWayne), Nicole, Joshlynn, Trimaine (Jamez), and Jerilynn, six Nephews: Vance (Kimyada), Kevin (Aneesah), Van Roy II (Latasha), Jermaine, Anthony, Jerry and Brian (Dominique), a host of Dear Cousins, Great Nieces and Nephews, and a HUGE family of Dear Friends, according to him… “From Austin to Boston. And from Maine to Spain. And EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN!”

Our James Arthur “Jaybo” Bowie was indeed a ‘True Believer’ whose last moments on earth were spent

kneeling in Peaceful, Joyful prayer.

Dear Brother, James… You have fought a good fight, You have finished your course, You have kept the

faith (ref. 2Timothy 4:7). Amen. May you now enjoy an eternal Rest in Peace.

And to you we all say… God Loves you and SO DO WE!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cummingsanddavisfh.com for the Bowie family.