Joseph Francis Bowen

Joseph Francis Bowen was born April 4, 1937, and baptized at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral in Baker, Oregon. Joe spent his younger years with his parents, Clifford "Ford" and Cleora (Manary) Bowen and his sisters, Mary Layne (RIP) and Lynda (Spokane, WA), in the mountains, where his dad and grandfather, J.C. Bowen, were gold miners at the Cougar Mine in Granite, Oregon. Joe's grade school and high school years were happily spent at St. Francis Academy in Baker. This Franciscan school was the hub of the many activities which Joe loved and in which he energetically participated: baseball, basketball (guard and high scoring player,) drama, leadership roles, dances, and musical events where his resonant voice often sang solos. The jewels of Joe's life, what he most treasured, were the friendships he formed, beginning with his twelve years at St. Francis Academy. After graduation, Joe sought a degree in accounting at Oregon Technical School in Klamath Falls. In seeking a part-time job to pay his expenses, Joe discovered a love for service in fire-fighting, which rapidly developed into a 30-year long commitment dispatching for the U.S. Forest Service. Many people know his name and the sound of his voice over the radio. Upon retirement, Joe dispatched for the Yreka Police Department. Joe's warm praise of the men and women with whom he worked was with him even in his most recent memories. At Joe's side in support and continual inspiration for 43 years was his wife, Louise Pinion. Louise was a woman also of vast talent, not only in homemaking, raising their sons, active in the creative arts, but also with a 'later-in-life' career as an RN who served the Elderly at Beverly Manor in Yreka, California. Yreka was home to Joe and Louise, which they enjoyed until her passing in 2008, and for Joe, the place he continued to cherish these last 12 years. It is the place where Louise and Joe raised their two sons, Davey Louis, of Yreka and Jaime Clifford, of Bend, OR. Jaime for 24 years, has served the Oregon Youth Challenge as staff and as counselor and Davey, for 28 years, is an employee of Yreka Transfer. During many active years, Joe, an avid sports fan, didn't miss a game in which his sons, grandson, or great grandchildren played. He loved being a special 'Transfer Person,' driving children to/from school, getting to hear their stories of the day. This active 'Grandpa,' so loved by all the family, was well cared for by them, especially in his last few years of slowing down: Son Davey and Barbara Bowen and their family - Jocelynn and Davey Jr. Bowen, Tara Holloway, Skyler and Cadyn Holloway, Travis and Hope Stansbury, Landon, Braydon and Easton Stansbury, Cheyenne Bowen, Carter Bowen. And Son Jaime Bowen. Each of these beloved family members has given Joe love and a lasting purpose, which brought him joy and peacefulness through life and unto his Transition at home on November 10, 2020. The Family wishes to express deep gratitude to Madrone Hospice, who greatly assisted Joe with their skilled and compassionate In-Home hospice care. We also thank the St. Joseph Catholic Church Community, the Pastor and Home Visitors for their faith-filled affiliations with Joe.

Joseph Francis Bowen

April 4, 1937 - November 10, 2020