Earl was born in Columbus, GA, son of the late Jane Kyle Bowden and Bicknel Earl Bowden, Sr. He is predeceased by his wives, Marilyn P. Bowden and Nancy S. Bowden as well as by his oldest son, Bo Bowden. He is survived by: Bo’s wife, Marian Bowden of Easley, SC, their three sons, Jonathan and Daniel Bowden of Wilmington, NC and Spencer Bowden of Charleston, SC; his youngest son and daughter-in-law, Clay and Rhonda Bowden of Lilburn, GA and their two children Barrett and Michelle Bowden of Memphis, TN and Babbs and Wil Fason of Macon, GA; his four great- grandchildren, Caroline and Emma Bowden and Hatcher and Hadley Fason; his stepchildren, Bobby (Elizabeth) Cleveland of Macon, GA, Brett (Tonya) Cleveland of Smyrna, SC and Blair (Betsy) Cleveland of Macon, GA; and his step-grandchildren, Joey, Tommy, Bess, Foard, Ellie and Knox Cleveland.
Earl was a retired mortgage lender for Georgia Federal, Southern Federal and State Bank. He was a member of Ingleside Baptist Church and occasionally attended Christ Church. He was a graduate of the University of Georgia, a long time member of the Exchange Club of Macon and a member of Idle Hour Golf & Country Club until a few years ago. Earl was a renowned amateur golfer, winner of numerous state championships and local tournaments including Idle Hour’s Peach Blossom tournament, a championship that both he and his son, Bo, won twenty years apart. Earl was passionate about golf, a great competitor even in his senior years. On May 5, 2014, he had the distinct honor of being inducted into the Macon Sports Hall of Fame.
The family expresses gratitude to the staffs at Bolingreen Nursing Center and Affinis Hospice. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Georgia State Golf Association Foundation at gsga.org in remembrance of his passion for golf and in continuance of his legacy.
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Snow's Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.
