Gerald Bowden

Gerald “Jerry” Bowden was born June 21, 1943, in Fort Worth, Texas to Sue and Levi Bowden. He was born during the middle of WWII but prior to D-Day and the United States’ victory over fascism. Jerry attended North Texas State University in Denton, Texas. He spent 5 years there and ultimately graduated right before his student deferment ran out and he was drafted into the Army. He graduated Officer Candidate School, obtained his Ranger tab, and complete a tour in Korea in 1968 and Vietnam in 1971 as a First Lieutenant. He decided that if he was going to represent his country, he was going to have the best training his country could offer him. That was an important quality of Jerry’s, to do things to the very best of his abilities. So, not only did he go to Vietnam, he led men in Vietnam and his professional and personal mission was to ensure their safe return home. After successfully completing his tour of duty, he made a twenty-three-year career in the military, retiring in 1988 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He took various posts throughout his military tenure, but the ones he enjoyed the most were centered around teaching and offering guidance to his younger peers. He retired being well established as a teacher and leader of men. He married Nancy Penick and remained by her side for 53 years. They had two children, Christopher and Elizabeth. In their later years, Nancy and Jerry traveled frequently, visiting Europe, and taking a ship through the Panama Canal, which was a trip Jerry dreamed taking for years. Jerry enjoyed these trips, but nothing gave him more pleasure than building ramps for homebound individuals, being outdoors in his yard, and spending time with his granddaughters, Kate and Ruby. Over the years, he learned and became a master craftsman and true to his nature, shared his abilities with those who needed them. Like his military duty, he used what he learned to give people a better life. Hundreds of homebound people in Indianapolis were offered a better life because of Jerry. Jerry had such a playful, loving spirit which was consistently on display with his friends, family, and particularly his granddaughters. He couldn’t say no to them in time or in service. He was great at and loved many things, but of those things, he was greatest at and loved best being a grandfather. Jerry is predeceased by his parents, Levi and Sue and his beloved son Chris. He is survived by his wife Nancy, his daughter Elizabeth (Matt), his granddaughters Kate and Ruby, and his older brother Lee. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Northside Food Pantry - Second Presbyterian Church or Servants at Work (SAWS) - Second Presbyterian Church. There will be a graveside service Monday, January 18, 2021, at Crown Hill Cemetery, at 11:00 am and a funeral will be held on July 24, 2021, 11:00 am at Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, Indiana.