Donald Lee Bowen Sr.

Donald Lee Bowen Sr. of Verona, Kentucky passed away early Wednesday morning, May 1st, 2024 at his residence; he was 77 years old. He was born on Wednesday, August 14th, 1946 in Huntington, West Virginia to the late Clayton and Dorothy Bowen. In addition to his parents, Donald is preceded in death by a son, Dwayne Brent Bowen, as well as three of his siblings: Leroy Bowen, Clayton Burnard Bowen the 2nd, and Mary Blevins.

Donald proudly served his country during the Vietnam War Era in the United States Navy for over 4 years aboard the USS Hornet, the recovery ship for NASA’s Apollo 11 & 12 Moon Missions. For those years spent at sea he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with Three Bronze Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

Following his time in the military, Donald attended trade school to become an electrician, later owning and operating his own company. Furthering his entrepreneurial spirit, he worked for a number of years at ‘Bowen’s Body Shop’ alongside his brother Burnard, together maintaining and restoring the vehicles of Ashland, Kentucky. Additionally, Donald was a longtime member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Donald is survived by his three caring children: Donald (Buffie) Bowen Jr. of Verona, Kentucky, Carl (Christina) Bowen of Barboursville, West Virginia, and Susan (James) Duncan of Charlotte, North Carolina. Also surviving are three of his brothers: Charley Bowen of Ona, West Virginia, Clinton Bowen, and Robert Bowen, both of Huntington, West Virginia; as well as two of his sisters: Donna Tabor of Cleveland, Ohio and Nancy Lovejoy of Huntington, West Virginia. He leaves a lasting legacy of his twelve grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

Donald will be laid to rest alongside his fellow veterans at the Kentucky Veterans’ Cemetery North in Williamstown, Kentucky on Monday, May 6th, 2024, beginning at 1:00PM.