James "Jim" Eddie Bowie's Obituary
Mr. James E. Bowie “Jim” passed away on December 15th after a prolonged illness. He was born Aug 1, 1946 in Bogota, Texas to Flora and James Bowie. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Sam Houston State University in 1968 before going on to complete both a Master of Education in Counseling and Master of Education in Administration from Sam Houston State University in 1973.
Mr. Bowie is survived by his wife, Marilyn Bowie, his daughter Ashley-Meggan Bowie, and by his niece Kim Walker and husband Mark. He is also survived by his sister Brenda Storey and husband Don; sister Cindy Conn and husband Derwood; brother Joe Bowie and wife Shirley; and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.
This was Mr. Bowie’s fiftieth year in public education. He began his career as a teacher at Smiley High School in Houston. He then became a counselor and later principal at Hargrave High School in Huffman. From there, Mr. Bowie left the Houston area and first came to East Texas as the superintendent of Central ISD in Pollock, Texas. This was followed by 7 years as the principal of Lufkin High School. In all, Mr. Bowie was the superintendent of four school districts in Texas and New Mexico – Central ISD, Hempstead ISD, Goldthwaite ISD, and Maxwell in New Mexico. He was also a graduate professor of education at PrairieView A&M University, where he taught courses in school law.
After years serving as a certified United Methodist Lay Minister, Mr. Bowie became a Local Pastor in the United Methodist Church. He first served as pastor at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Marshall and later at McCary’s Chapel in Liberty City. Throughout his life he served as chairman of the board in several Methodist churches.
Jim was a member of the Lion’s Club in Lufkin, Hempstead, and Goldthwaite. He served as President of the Goldthwaite Lion’s Club in 2004 and 2005. He was also co-founder of the Annual Mills County Veteran Recognition Day and Luncheon.
A member of the Sam B. Crawford Masonic Lodge #1418, Mr. Bowie was also a member and former officer (1990) of Houston Scottish Rite Bodies, receiving Knights Commander of Honor in 1979, and DeMolay Legion of Honor.
A memorial service will be held at Winterfield United Methodist Church in Longview on December 27th at 2:00. A memorial scholarship has been set up at Longview High School (201 E. Tomlinson Pkwy, Longview, Tx, 75605) and donations can also be made to the Food Pantry at McCary’s Chapel United Methodist Church (5758 Old Highway 135 N, Kilgore, Tx, 75662).
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