Fred Bowen’s 80th
Freddie has turned 80 years old!!! Congratulations!!! Frederick David Bowen was born in Logan, Utah on July 10th, 1929 to his parents William Clair and Elsie Hunter Bowen. He was the second child of six.
His early life was spent in River Heights where he talked of many fond memories. He mentioned often about how he would go down to the hollow and catch frogs and enjoy a great plate of frog legs for dinner. Later the family moved to Mendon where they ran a farm and acreage. It was there that he was taught the lifelong skill of hard work… Fred’s trademark.
He graduated from South Cache High School in 1947 and on June 28, 1948 he married his high school sweetheart, June Murray Hill from Wellsville in the Logan LDS Temple. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2008.
Fred became a U. S. Marine while he and June were working on a ranch in White Hall, Montana and from 1948 – 1952 he lived in Oceanside, California (Camp Pendleton) and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He served as a supply clerk and earned the rank of Lance Corporal, while learning the value of discipline and serving. After the Marine Corp, Fred and June settled in Mendon, Utah where they started their family and lived their vocations and dreams.
During the next several decades, Fred was involved in ranching at Spring Creek Ranch, road construction for Jack B. Parson, and he retired from the USDA Poisonous Plant Research as a small animal technician. He cherishes the friendships and working partnerships with those he was involved with there and thoroughly enjoyed working with animals and plant collection trips.
During his working years and after retirement, Fred enjoyed many things… raising animals (sheep, rabbits, turkeys, and even those damned homing pigeons that he took to Denver, Colorado and never saw them again… they sure didn’t return!), gardening, where he always had the perfect garden, yard, and crops. He has the green thumb and many people were quick to seek and follow his advice. He also enjoyed the outdoors and loved camping, hunting, and snowmobiling and doing things with the “gang”.
Together, Freddie and Junie had two children: son, Eric David Bowen of Mendon, and daughter, Nicole Bowen Hillary of Sandy. Through marriage, they also proudly picked up a couple of bonuses in a daughter-in-law, Terri Bowen, and a son-in-law, Del Hillary.
He is very proud of his children but even more proud of her nine grandchildren: Elizabeth “Betsy” (David) Bradshaw, Brandon, Heidi, Katie, and Erin Bowen and Matthew (Bethany), Ashley (Mike) Doxstader, Mandy (Ryan) Merriman, and Ryan Hillary on the Hillary side. Fred is also a great grandfather of his “almost” three great-grandchildren … Charlie Bradshaw, Andrew Hillary and whatever his or her name is in November.
Early memories of the grandchildren were Grampa’s continual threat to “thump ‘em” if they didn’t toe the line… They never really knew what it meant but they respected him, although they never got “thumped” through all the years.
Things turned south for Fred in May 2000, when he contracted Transverse Myelitis that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Life has been quite a bit different at the Bowen home since then. He was cared for at home by his loyal wife for the first five years after which it became necessary to move him into the Sunshine Terrace, where he continues to be a resident there. June, his wife, is an inspiration to all of us as she frequents him with visits, dances and weekly church service.
Due to Fred’s condition, there will not be a formal party for friends and neighbors although there was a small family party held in his honor on his birthday.
Fred can have visitors if they want wish him a happy birthday, although his communication skills are somewhat diminished. Please check with the nurses first.
Happy 80th birthday, Dad / Grampa / Great Grampa! You are our inspiration and strength! We all love you!
1 comment:
What a nice tribute to your dad, Nic. Even though he doesn't appear to know which end is up, I know in his heart that you and your family love him a great deal. Happy Birthday, Freddie! You done good!
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