James “Jim” Bowers, Jr.

- JAMES (Jim) ALLEN Bowers, Jr. age 94 went to join the Lord on April 6, 2024 after having lived a full and wonderful life. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama. After graduation from the University of Alabama he entered the United States Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. For thirty years he was a member of the United States Air Force. The latter part of his military career was with the Tennessee Air National Guard as a liaison officer with the U.S. Air Force Reserve serving under General Lawrence A. Skantze at Systems Command Headquarters in Washington, DC. Mr.

Bowers joined the Jostens Company in the late 1950’s. After one year he was called to active duty in Ramstein, Germany where he served until the crisis ended. He returned to Knoxville, TN and rejoined Jostens where he was one of the top salesmen.He was a member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church where he served 6:30 AM Mass almost every day from 1995 until present time. He was a well known leader and motivator and philanthropist. He supported a number of charities including the Catholic Church, Ladies of Charity, Boys Town, Little Sisters of the Poor, University of Alabama, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the University of Tennessee. His contributions to the Civic Community were also numerous as evidenced by his service as President of the Knoxville Jr. Chamber of Commerce, his work with the U. S. Air Force Association, his work with the Tennessee Air National Guard, and many others too numerous to name.

Mr. Bowers was a motivational, happy person who lived his life with great gusto and joy. He loved to go to his home on Longboat Key, FL and traveled to Colorado to ski every year from 1982 to 1995. He loved Alabama football and attended every game he could. Also he was an avid fan of the University of Tennessee. He loved flying. After his Air Force flying, he flew his own private planes for some thirty years. He especially enjoyed making good Samaritan flights for people in need. He was known throughout the country as a superb aviator who had flown every kind of plane. His love of flying was centered mostly around jet fighter planes such as the F102 and the F104. He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Lee Thomas Bowers; parents, James Allen and Ruth Alyce Williamson Bowers; brothers, Lloyd, Patrick, and David Bowers, Sr.; sister, Ruth A. Bowers; brother-in-law, Floyd and wife Billie Womack; sister-in-law, Schlaine Thomas. Survived by brother, John Bowers; sister and brother-in-law Rose and Richard Turner; sister-in-law, Rosie Bowers; brother-in-law, Joe Thomas; and special nieces and their families Sherry Lee Bell (John, Madalyn and Ella), and Tina Marquita Dotson ( David and Grace). He is also survived by his very special friend and companion, Norma K. Bailey, and his longtime friend and assistant, Virginia Tarver. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Jim Bowers will be held on Friday, April 12 at 11:00 am at Holy Ghost Catholic Church with burial at Sherwood Memorial Gardens at 1:00 pm Friday. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Holy Ghost Catholic Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Condolences may be offered at www.sherwoodchapel.com