Julia Louise Bowcutt

Julia Louise Bowcutt was born in Rochester, Vermont on December 21, 1931 to Clinton and Elsie Stevens. She passed away at the age of 92 on July 29, 2024.

Julia’s father was an engineer and she traveled with her parents living in numerous places. Coulee City was one while her father worked on the dam. As a young lady, she was a member of Camp Fire Girls and Bethel (Jobs Daughters). She attended and graduated from Bremerton High. She pursued some college studying business bookkeeping.

Julia married Ray Bowcutt on September 3, 1949 in Bremerton, Washington. They lived in Bremerton for a short time before moving to Seattle, Washington following Ray’s career. Together they purchased McGavins Bakery and moved to the Portland area, living in several places in both Portland and Milwaukie, Oregon. Julia supported the business while working with Ray, running the displays and sales front of the bakery.

As time passed, Ray worked several jobs, as Julia was a stay-at-home Mom for her children. She took charge of counting votes at the local precinct taking it very serious showing her patriotism.

Ray and Julia purchased a 20-foot cabin cruiser named “Wat A Crew”. Together they joined the trailer sailors to have a group to travel with. They went boating on the San Juan Islands, the Columbia and Willamette rivers, and numerous lakes in Oregon and Washington. They enrolled in Power Squadron Boating courses to gain the knowledge needed to navigate and safely travel with their boat. Julia became one of the first female Power Squadron instructors, teaching all aspects of small boat operation.

Julia always supported her children by getting involved with them in Campfire Girls, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Sea Scouts. Her son, Randy, became a member of the Sea Scout Ship Dana, with Ray and Julia becoming committee members assisting with activities. Together they enjoyed cruises, work parties and social functions.

Ray later became the skipper of the Sea Scout Ship Santa Maria, a male unit. Julia became the skipper of the Sea Scout Ship Crest of the Wave, a female unit, which her daughters, Sandy, Teri and Sherry were members. During this time, Randy was tenth in the nation to receive the Boy Scout Eagle rank and the Sea Scout Quartermaster rank at the same time. Sandy, Teri, and Sherry received the Sea Scout Quartermaster Rank. Sandy being the first female to receive it, and Teri being the second.

Ray and Julia purchased Grandma’s Donut Shop and operated the business selling donuts from their store and supplying several businesses (7-11's etc.) and churches until retirement. They later came out of retirement and started a concession supply business associated with Portland Paper, supplying popcorn and concession supplies to the Portland Coliseum, and numerous Portland movie theaters and concession stands.

Once again, they retired, selling their home in SE Portland and moving to Estacada, Oregon to live on 7+ acres with a house and a 100-year-old barn on an established Christmas tree farm. Once Ray and Julia were empty nesters, they purchased a motorcycle. They joined the Rose City Motorcycle Club and found joy in traveling and logging their destinations. Ray had his motorcycle converted to a trike, later Julia purchased a motorcycle, and had it converted to a trike, each pulling a trailer. One being cargo and the other a tent trailer.

Julia had a goal, which she accomplished, and that was to visit all 50 states; most visited on motorcycles. With their motorcycles, they assisted with the Hood to Coast run. Another one of her great adventures was becoming a certified Scuba diver with the Hoods Canel dives. She filled her time with reading, knitting, crochet, embroidery and sewing.

Julia was the matriarch of our family, supporting and leading us in all our adventures. She and our dad touched the lives of many people leaving good and long lasting memories.

Julia is survived by her sister, Shirley Vlist of Grapeview, Washington; son, Randy Bowcutt of Battle Ground, Washington; daughters, Sandy Bowcutt of Portland, Oregon, Teri McNew of Portland, Oregon, and Sherry Wright of Skamokawa, Washington; 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life for Julia will be held Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, 520 W Powell Blvd, Gresham, Oregon 97030.