J C Bowen

Born on August 20, 1936, in Granite, Oklahoma, Jay was the son of John T Bowen and Bessie Baker Bowen.

Jay served in the Army in El Paso and England from 1954 to 1956. He was saved by our Lord, Jesus Christ, on October 1, 1959. He graduated from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri in 1963. Jay served as a pastor in multiple churches across the country and retired from the ministry at his last church in Lubbock, Texas in 1981. Jay and Dee attended First Baptist Church of Gun Barrel City for the last 22 years, where Jay served many years as a senior adult bible study leader.

Jay loved all things involving westerns, including his favorite Louis Lamour books. He also enjoyed fishing, woodworking, blue grass music and crossword puzzles. He had a keen sense of humor and was known for his good-natured teasing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Bessie Bowen; brothers, Robert Bowen, Tommy Bowen, and Carroll Bowen; and sisters, Ruby Shockley and Linda Bowen. Jay is survived by his wife and best friend of 36 years, Dee Bowen; brother, Kenneth Bowen (Dolores); sister, Billie Simmons; son, Jeff Brewer (Denise); daughters, Valerie Brewer and Margie Butler (Charlie); grandchildren, Tina Rorick, Steven Brewer (Journey), Jenny Brewer, Katie Brewer (Arman Cardoza), Jordan Wallace (Blake), Hailey Pellerin, and Jacob Pellerin; and great granddaughter, Sophia.

Jay will be missed by his family and many friends. May all who knew Jay find comfort in knowing he is in heaven, reuniting with loved ones, laughing his contagious belly laugh and singing eternal praises to God.

The family will receive friends on Monday August 18, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home in Mabank, Texas. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home in Mabank, Texas. Interment will take place privately at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.