Vernon B. Bowen

VERNON BOWEN Vernon B. "Bernie" Bowen, 86, passed away Feb. 3, 2014, surrounded by family. He was born in Salida, Colo., Jan. 10, 1928, the youngest of nine children of Grover Cleveland Bowen and Adeline Bowen, all now deceased. He served, along with his brother Roland "Davy," in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He married Mary M. Bowen in Colorado, Aug. 20, 1950, and they moved to Henderson in 1951. He was a devoted husband and father to their two children. Bernie started as a fireman at the Henderson Plant Fire Department. Later, he and his brother Davy became two of the original five firemen assigned to the first Henderson Fire Department. Subsequently, he was a fireman at the Lake Mead Base, then he transferred to the Nevada Test Site. He retired as test site assistant fire chief in 1990, after 28 years at that location. After retirement, Bernie and Mary moved to Duck Creek Village, Utah and entertained friends and family from "the mountain" for 21 years. Then, they moved back to Henderson to be closer to family. Bernie and Mary were married for 63 years at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, Mary; his two children, Jerry Bowen (Cindy) and Theresa Hartsell (Ronald); five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 10, at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave., Las Vegas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Club Christ Ministries.

Arrangements under the direction of Palm Eastern Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.