Richard James Bowers

Richard James Bowers went to be with the Lord on January 22, 2026 after a long illness. He was born in Pontiac, Michigan on September 8, 1935, as the son of Millis James (908-1968) and Ena Lucille (Martin) Bowers (1909-1967). He had two brothers, James Martin and Robert James, both of whom died in infancy.

From his youth, Richard was in love with the outdoors. Growing up on the family farm, he would spend his free time hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. His greatest love was ice fishing. Up until the late 1970’s, he belonged to a snowmobiling club, riding all over northern Michigan including semi-annual trips to the Upper Peninsula, which required riding across the Straits of Mackinaw, under or near the Mackinac Bridge. When he wasn’t fishing or riding, he was camping out.

He graduated from Farmington High School in 1954 and went on to attend Oakland Community College where he studied drafting until graduating in 1960.

Richard married first around 1957 to Wilma Belle Tamm then to Elizabeth Joanne (Goodell) Paul in 1967. Upon the death of Elizabeth in 1999, he moved to Florida and married Doris Marie (Kinslow) Blalock in 2000. Throughout his life, he never lost his love of the outdoors, spending hours with his friends on his boat fishing in the Florida waters. He moved to Moscow, Tennessee in 2007.

Richard was a draftsman for General Motors for several years while in Michigan. He was a devout Christian all his life and attended church regularly. In Florida, he was a member of Living Cornerstone Church. He was a member of Bridgeway Baptist Church of Mr. Pleasant, Mississippi, at the time of his passing.

Richard was predeceased by his parents, and by wives Wilma, Elizabeth and Doris. He is survived by his sons Richard (Bonnie) Bowers, Brad E. Paul, stepson Henry D. Blalock , grandchildren and great grandchildren. A memorial service for Richard will be held at Bridgeway Baptist Church of Mt. Pleasant Mississippi on March 14, 2026