Kenneth R Bowers

Beloved husband, father, Pawpaw, brother and friend Kenneth Ray Bowers left his earthly home to meet Jesus face to face on February 10, 2021 at Dallas Methodist Hospital. Ken was born on June 5, 1942 in Lima, Ohio to Ray and Mabel (Newlove) Bowers. He graduated from Lima Senior High School in 1960 and went on to serve in the Air Force as an air security officer from 1962-1966, guarding fighter jets in Texas and Turkey. He joined the Lima Fire Department in November of 1967 and on June 22, 1968 he married the love of his life, Suzanne Bishop, with whom he had 52 years of marriage.

Ken retired from the fire department in January 1991. He also worked various part-time jobs including a delivery driver for Powell Company in Lima and a bus driver for Marimor Industries in Lima. In September 1993, Ken and Sue moved to Duncanville, TX so that Ken could work as a full-time Wycliffe Associate volunteer for Wycliffe Bible Translators at their Dallas campus. Ken had a heart for foreign missions and supported many missionaries throughout his life, opening his home to visiting missionaries and teaching his daughters about many different countries and cultures. He was passionate about volunteering wherever he could and served many years as a volunteer at the Allen County Museum in Lima, OH; a tour guide volunteer with Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District in Lima; a volunteer at WTGN radio in Lima, Ohio as well as a docent at the Museum of International Cultures in Dallas. Ken also proudly donated over 30 gallons of blood through the American Red Cross. Ken loved to travel, beginning with family vacations every year while his daughters were growing up; foreign mission work trips; and taking cruises with his wife. Ken was a member of Cable Road Alliance Church and Lima Community Church of the Nazarene in Lima and was a member of Dallas First Church of the Nazarene from 1994 until his departure from this life.

Surviving Ken are his wife Sue (Bishop) Bowers of Duncanville, TX; two daughters: Debbie (Dave) Goforth of San Tan Valley, AZ and Elizabeth (Brian) Saunders of Alvarado, TX; four grandchildren: Jordan Brackeen of Michigan; Rayven Brackeen of Arizona; and Ethan and Mabel Saunders of Texas. Ken is also survived by a brother, Rev. John (Sue) Bowers of Erie, PA; a sister, Carol Tolson of Delaware, OH; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Sharon Roder.

Above all else, Ken loved God and shared his faith with everyone he knew. He lived out the two greatest commandments from Jesus daily: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself. Although Ken has left this life, his family clings to the hope and promise that they will see him again perfectly whole and singing bass in heaven’s choir. In memory of Ken’s life, please visit a museum and real ALL the plaques; volunteer at a park; donate blood at the Red Cross; and most of all, tell your family often how much you love them. That is exactly what he would want.

A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, February 19 at 4:00 PM at the Dallas First Church of the Nazarene in DeSoto, TX with Rev. Larry Williams officiating. There will be a visitation with the family from 3:00 PM until the time of the service. Cremation has taken place and Ken’s remains will be interred at a later date at DFW National Cemetery in Dallas.