James Edwin Bowling

James Edwin Bowling passed away with family by his side on October 21, 2024, in Fresno, Ca. He was 93 years old. James was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His life was a remarkable journey that began on December 7th, 1930, in Louisville Kentucky.

During the Great Depression, James and his family migrated all over the country, living in several states and changing schools every year. When he was a junior in high school, his family moved to Friant, Ca. when his mother secured employment for the Bureau of Reclamation to work on the Friant Dam project. During that time, he fell in love with the foothills and surrounding mountain area.

Soon after graduating high school, James enlisted in the U.S. Army with his best friend Gene Lewis. They both served in the Korean War. James was wounded in the war, received the Purple Heart, and was discharged in 1952. Gene did not survive. James became close to Gene’s family and fell in love with Rita Frances Lewis who was Gene’s sister. They shared 50 years together.

After being discharged from the U.S. Army, James attended college and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno. He married Rita in 1957 and began a career in Civil Engineering. He worked for the State of California, Department of Forestry for 30 years. After retiring from the state, he continued his career for another 20 years as an independent licensed engineer. He and his wife relocated to Bass Lake, and he worked on many projects in the surrounding mountain communities. He was recognized nationally for his work on committees to lower the standards for the low volume roads to preserve the countryside in as pristine an environment as possible. James had his last engineering job at the age of eighty.

James loved the mountains, but also loved the desert, splitting his time between both places. He spent his pastime working, working, working. He always had a project on which he was working. He built his home in Bass Lake, helped the family with building projects, and always kept busy.

James is survived by his son Larry Bowling, daughters Pam Coronado and Betsy Bowling, granddaughters Christine, Elizabeth, and Sydnee, step grandson TJ, and great grandson Giovanni. He is preceded in death by his wife Rita Frances Bowling, mother Mary Veronica, father Sylvester, sisters Aline and Vera, brother Joseph.

A memorial service will be held Friday November 22nd, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Oakhill Cemetery – 40188 Hwy. 41, Oakhurst, Ca. Reception to follow at Oakhurst Community Center-Pavilion 39800 Rd. 425B, Oakhurst Ca.