James Stuart Bowden

Jim was born in Chicago, Illinois to Thomas and Marion (Johnson) Bowden. He worked very hard to get back to his beloved Boulder County home while in Broomfield Hospital Inpatient Rehab following cardiac bypass surgery. However, he went to his eternal home 2 days before his discharge.

At an early age he and his family briefly moved to Estes Park then made their home in Longmont, Colorado. He was the middle child with four siblings.

Jim graduate from Longmont High School. He joined the Colorado Army National Guard in 1955. Eventually he became a civilian employee at Camp George West in Golden.

He found one of his passions at an early age. He loved fixing cars and anything that had to with them. Early years found him working at the Trojan theater finding his love of movies, especially Westerns. He has worked as a body shop manager, assistant manager, machinist and auto painter. He was also employed by State Farm as an auto damage appraiser until 1991. Since that time he has been self-employed.

Jim married Delores (Dee) Adler in 1965 and they welcomed two daughters. They divorced in 1977. In 1986 Dale McCann married Jim and Gail Lurgio in Lyons, Meadow Park. They welcomed a son, Travis in 1990.

Jim and Gail were privileged to be foster parents for the Boulder County Department of Social Services for about ten years. Jim would always tell folks “I get more back than I ever gave to those little ones.” They loved their country house with lots of space for Jim to tinker and “grow cars.” He enjoyed just about any music, especially blue grass and country. He loved learning, reading, bargain shopping, trips to the Oregon coast and Colorado mountains and good ol’ TV programs- like The Waltons and MASH.

Lifebridge Christian Church was a part of Jim and Gail’s lives for many years. Jim loved his place as “stroller” in the infant /toddler hall. He was also able to learn and enjoy Bible study fellowship for many years.

Jim and Gail knew God put them together and kept them together for nearly 35 years. He loved his family unconditionally and we loved him and will dearly miss him until we meet again.

Those who have gone before are his parents, brother Tom Bowden Jr. and sister Susan Richardson.

He is survived by his wife Gail and son Travis, daughters Nancy Nadonly of Washington State and Kathy Vaughan of Loveland, grandson Zachary and Nathan Vaughan and their father Pat Vaughan. Also survived by sisters Jeanne Schmelzer of Ft. Collins and Mary Ann Brindle of Wheatland, Wyoming, bonus daughter Sadie Medow and her son Duke, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and very special friends.

Because of COVID restrictions a memorial service will be held in the future.

In lieu of flowers consider making a memorial donation in Jim’s name to Imagine! Foundation, 1400 Dixon Ave, Lafayette, CO 80026 (www.imaginecolorado.org) or America’s Kids Belong (www.americaskidsbelong.org).