Arthur James"Art"Bowling

Arthur James Bowling went to be with his eternal Father on Easter Sunday, April 8, 2007. He is survived by his wife, Janella Wininger "Jan" Bowling; daughter, Anne Smith of Avondale, Ariz.; daughter and son-in-law, Alice and Noel Grage of Humble, Texas; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Jane Bowling of Humble; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Cheri Bowling of Baton Rouge; 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Mrs. Annas Bowling ofKnoxville, Tenn.; brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Georgi Bowling ofPowell, Tenn.; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded to heaven by his parents, Arthur and Meta Bottcher Bowling; brothers, Charles W. Bowling, Fred W. Bowling and David E. Bowling; sister-in-law, Rebecca Bowling; and daughter-in-law, Katherine Counce Bowling. Art was a member ofTrinityLutheranChurch, Baton Rouge, having served in many capacities, various board positions and as president of the Baton Rouge Lutheran School Board. As a lifelong choir member, he participated in numerous cantatas and other special musical presentations. His hands and heart were always ready to help with any need that arose. He was a member of numerous technical organizations, the Chamber of Commerce, Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in Americaand member and past president of the Red Stick chapter of the Model A Ford Clubs of America. Art was born April 21, 1926, inLeeds, Ala.In 1929, his family moved to Knoxville, where he resided until 1949. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943, during World War II and was commissioned as an ensign in 1946, and a lieutenant junior grade in 1951 and was honorably discharged from the Naval Reserve in 1959. He received a bachelor of science degree in naval science fromMarquetteUniversityin Milwaukeeand a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from theUniversityofTennesseein Knoxville. After joining Thiokol Chemical Corp. inHuntsville, Ala., in 1950, Art was instrumental in the development of solid propellant rockets, such as the Nike defense systems, the Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile and the original solid propellant boosters for the space shuttle. He was involved with the research and development of solid propellant rocket fuels at Huntsvilleand later was manager of rocket engineering with Thiokol at the Longhorn Ordinance Works inMarshall, Texas. The decade of the 1960s was spent with UMC Industries/Unidynamics in Phoenix, as projects manager and facilities engineering manager on explosive and pyrotechnic devices for the armed forces during the Vietnam War and on highly classified projects for the Department of Defense and the Atomic Energy Commission. After a brief tenure with Dow Chemical inFreeport, Texas, he completed the last 19 years of his career with BASF in Geismar. Pallbearers will be Warren Bowling, Ethan Bowling, Adam Bowling, Chase Dantin, Beau Dantin and Shane Dantin. Ryan Dwyer will serve as the crucifer. Honorary pallbearers are Jud Smith, Tyler Bowling, Fred Prellop, Glenn Coats and Carl Spaulding. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Thursday, April 12, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Service at Trinity Lutheran Church, 10925 Florida Blvd., conducted by the Rev. Scott Schmieding, at 10 a.m. Friday. Graveside service atResthavenGardensof Memory. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Choir Fund, 10925 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA70815 or Hospice of Baton Rouge 9063 Siegen Lane Suite A,Baton Rouge, LA70810.