James Dinwiddie "Jim" Bowen, Jr, age 91 passed away peacefully Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Via Christi Village, Pittsburg, Kansas.

He was born Jan. 25, 1935, in Topeka, Kansas, a son of the late Dr. James D. and Hilma (nee Balthrope) Bowen. After attending Topeka High School he attended and graduated from Washburn University where he received his Air Force ROTC Commission. He served from1957 to 1962 with one year in the Korea War. He married Jan Blaisdell and they had three children, Mark, Gretchen, and David. They later divorced.

Post Air Force, he returned to Topeka and worked at Topeka Savings and Loan and was a real estate broker before moving to Pittsburg to join First Federal Savings and Loan. In 1975 he married Karen Armstrong of Topeka, Kansas. Jim founded Homestead Realty in Baxter Springs, KS and eventually joined American Family Insurance and spent 28 years as an agent before retiring. He and Karen owned Bowen Christmas Tree Farm in Pittsburg for 35 years. Jim was an avid golfer, pilot, and hunter. He was a member of the Noon Rotary, Kansas Christmas Tree Association, and the First United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife Karen, of 50 years; children Mark Bowen of Georgia, Gretchen Lavender (Britt) of Georgia, and David Bowen (Le) of Florida; 10 grandchildren, Blaidsell Lavender (Savannah), Preston Lavender (Hannah), Quentin Lavender (Cara), Michael Bowen (Lyndsey), Elizabeth Swanson (Jacob), Alexandra Farewell, Patricia Case, Victoria Bunch (Luke), Bradford Bowen (Susanna), Kathrine Hull (Shawn); 15 great grandchildren, Taylor, Virginia, David, Beckham, Vita, Ryan, Kyah, Rayne, Elise, Conrad, Theoden, Brooks, Vivianna, Sigmond, and Zion; Two nieces, Catherine Casson and Chrissy Bagshaw (Greg), one grandniece, Madison, and two grandnephews, James and Bradly.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church with Pastor Daniel Reffner as celebrant. Refreshments and fellowship will follow the service in Lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to The Wesley House Food Pantry. Donations may be sent to FUMC, 415 N. Pine, Pittsburg, KS 66762. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762.