Donald Johnston Bowes, Jr., 83, of Charleston, passed away Feb. 13, 2016 at Hubbard Hospice House following a long illness.
He was born Jan. 18, 1933 in Los Angeles, Calif., to the late Elva May Lehman and the late Donald Johnston Bowes.
He spent his early years in Military School at Ohio Military Institute in Canton, Ohio, followed by two years of college and a year as an enlisted medic in the Korean War. He then accepted an appointment to West Point graduating in the Class of 1957. The next 23 years were spent in the U.S. Army as an officer and truly enjoying the many challenges along the way, to include a 14-month Combat Tour in Vietnam, receiving Service Medals for both tours. He attended Service School in Comptrollership and Graduate Studies in Bio Electronics, Operations Research and Nuclear Medical Science, Hospital Construction, and Health Care Administration. His last Military Assignment was as Director, Resource Management for the Army Medical Department. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1980.
Still looking for a challenge, Don entered the corporate world, working for Consolidation Coal in Pittsburgh, Pa., handling their Black Lung programs for several years ... retired again. Retired, but eager to be challenged once again. Our final decision was to take country roads to beautiful West Virginia to work with Employer Services as a Health Care Administrator, here in Charleston.
During Don's final year at West Point, he accepted a blind date with Constance "Connie" Mae Waring, of Peabody, Mass., and they married on Feb. 12, 1958. During the 58 years, they partnered through endless PCS moves challenging open-ended TDYs, and three intensive post-graduate programs en route to military retirement.
Skiing and tennis were among many favorite sports. In recent years we enjoyed ballroom dancing as members of six dance clubs.
Steam trains, ship model building, Mah Jong collecting and antique carriage restoration have been on the list of hobbies throughout the years.
A few years ago, we were invited to set up a large permanent exhibit in a regional Appalachian historical village containing several museums. On Sept. 11, 2015, the Bowes Doll and Carriage Museum opened at the Heritage Farm Museum and Village in Huntington, displaying approximately 60 carriages and 200 or more dolls. This required years of creating, costuming, collecting and restoring the dolls and carriages. Also on display are Don's steam trains and a ship model.
The principles the United States Military Academy sought to install in us have remained a proud cornerstone in his approach to life's challenges and opportunities. For that inspiration and preparedness, he remained particularly grateful.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to Heritage Farm Museum and Village, 3300 Harvey Road, Huntington, WV 25794 or Hubbard Hospice House, 1606 Kanawha Blvd. W., Charleston, WV 25387.
Memorial Visitation for family and friends will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016 at Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, Charleston.
You may send condolences to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.
Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted to handle the arrangements.