David Blaine Bowles

David Blaine Bowles, 78, of Selah, Washington passed away on October 1, 2023, following a 2-year battle with cancer. He died at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital with his wife and children at his side. David was born in Yakima, Washington on December 5, 1944, to Ralph Bowles and Edna Blaine Bowles. He graduated from Toppenish High School in 1963 and went on to study Agronomy and Chemistry at Washington State University. After graduating, he joined the US Army as a 2nd Lieutenant and served for 4 years, including a tour in Vietnam in 1968-69. After leaving the Army he joined his father’s business, R.H. Bowles, Co. in Toppenish, where he worked for many years. Later in life, he was self-employed as a distributor of fuel additives.

David met his future wife, Shirley Ann Neufeld, in kindergarten, and they became high-school sweethearts, marrying the summer after college graduation in 1967. David and Shirley welcomed a daughter, Julie, in 1970, and a son, Brian, in 1973. The family moved to Selah in 1979, where they continued to raise their children, and where David resided until his death. David was very proud of his children and called them his greatest accomplishment in life.

David enjoyed many outdoor sports, including fishing, snow skiing, and water skiing. One of his favorite events was an annual fishing and rafting trip down the Deschutes and St. Joe rivers with many long-time friends, where David served as head camp cook. During retirement, he and Shirley enjoyed traveling the western United States, visiting many state and national parks towing their trailer and kayaks. He spent many hours taking care of his yard, of which he was very proud; the neighbors teased him that he must even polish his garden hose. He was an avid reader, devouring many history and true crime books. But mostly he enjoyed spending time with family and friends, including a granddaughter, Abigail, born in 2019.

David had a good heart and a great (if somewhat strange) sense of humor. He was a wonderful man, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He is deeply missed by those he leaves behind, including his wife, children, daughter-in-law Heather, grand-daughter, and his faithful miniature dachshund, Moose.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Edna Bowles, his brother Bob Bowles, and his sister Pamela Bowles Skone.

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 20 at 11:00 AM at Langevin El Pariso Funeral Home. The family would like to thank all who have shared their love and support. In lieu of flowers, if you would like, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. To leave a memory for the family please visit lepfuneralhome.com

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lepfuneralhome.com for the Bowles family.