John Mitchell Bowling Sr.

John Mitchell Bowling, Sr. (1929-2016) passed away on Sunday, July 10, 2016. His son John Mitchell Bowling, Jr. was by his side. John was born May 22, 1929, in Yonkers, New York. He grew up in New York City, Delaware, and Atlanta with his parents, Raymond Walgrave Bowling and Esther Louise Wing Bowling, and sister Nancy Marie Bowling Harrelson. Raymond and Esther Bowling were both very active in the Atlanta community. Raymond was an executive with The Coca-Cola Company and long-time advisor to Robert W. Woodruff. Esther was recognized as a leader in service to her community. John graduated from Boys High School in Atlanta; attended the University of Georgia, where he majored in accounting, and joined Sigma Chi fraternity. After graduation he enlisted into the US Navy and served as a communications officer during the Korean Conflict on the aircraft carrier USS Lake Champlain. He spent a year and a half in Japan, and after his tour of duty, returned to the University of Georgia and earned a Juris Doctor degree and was awarded the Phi Beta Kappa key. John passed both the Florida and Georgia State Bars, ultimately founding the law firm of McLain, Melon, Bowling, and Hickman in Atlanta. He remained an active member of both bars and practiced law for over 60 years. He continued in the US Navy Reserves, served in the JAG Corps, and achieved the rank of captain. After retirement he became a partner with his son of several businesses in the Atlanta area. John was married for 43 years to Mary-Margaret Price Bowling of Waynesboro, Georgia, who predeceased him. He was very close with his sister Nancy and they lived together during their last years of life. He is survived by his son John Mitchell Bowling, Jr. of the United Kingdom. Other immediate family includes his niece Janne (Deborah and their daughter Lucy) of Silver Spring, MD; and nephews George Jr. (Laura and their daughter Alana Nancy) of Winston-Salem, NC; Clay (Diane and their children David and Laura Marie) of New Orleans; and Paul (Erin) of Washington, DC. John was a resident of Atlanta, GA, Jacksonville Beach, FL, and since 2009, Gulf Breeze, FL. He was a long-time member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Atlanta. Socially he greatly enjoyed playing golf, especially with his father. He was a second-generation member of the Capitol City Club (1964), a second-generation member of the Ponte Vedra Club (1964), founding member of the Epping Forest Yacht Club, Sawgrass Country Club, and the Tournament Players Championship Club. John had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. With his wife Mary-Margaret they played bridge, and he was an enthusiastic Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta Falcons fan. John was always happy to offer advice and support, and was interested in and closely followed world events. Hector, a goldendoodle, was his loyal companion for several years before his death. Other cherished animal companions throughout his lifetime were Madison, standard poodle, Truffles and Truffles II, miniature poodles, and Noel, chihuahua. Graveside services will be held at Arlington Memorial Park, Atlanta, through H.M. Patterson and Son Oglethorpe Hill Funeral Home at 10:00 am on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Contributions may be sent to the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Atlanta, Georgia, in honor of John Mitchell Bowling, Sr.