Randy Lee Bowen

Randy Lee Bowen, 82, went peacefully to be with the Lord on October 22, 2024, surrounded by the love of his devoted wife and three daughters. A proud veteran of the United States Air Force, Randy lived a life marked by dedication, service, and deep love for his family. 

Randy was a graduate of Gate City High School Class of 1960, joined the Air Force and served as a Ballistic Missile Analyst Technician during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and later retired from IBM after a successful career in computer technology. He was active in the Civil Air Patrol, part of the WCYB Hot Air Balloon team, a private pilot, and an avid golfer. Randy also had a passion for cars, particularly his beloved 1966 Chevy II, which he showcased with his hot rod club. He extended his service to his community as a volunteer with the Kingsport City Police.

Randy is survived by his beloved wife, Sandra Jean Meyer Bowen, with whom he celebrated 61 beautiful years of marriage; their three daughters: Randolyn (Randi) LaFerney, Lisa Broadwater (and her husband, Eddie Broadwater), and Marsha Nelson (and her husband, Gregory Nelson). He was the proud grandfather of five cherished grandchildren: Alexandra LaFerney, Anna LaFerney, Chloe Broadwater, Kyndra Nelson, and Bryce Nelson. Randy is also survived by his brother, Dewayne Bowen.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Anna Jane and Calvin Kels Bowen of Weber City, Virginia, and two brothers, Quentin Bowen and Calvin Kels Bowen, Jr.

The family extends a special thank you to the compassionate staff at Preston Place II, Preston Place Suites, Steadman Hill, and the caring team at Smokey Mountain Home Health & Hospice, with heartfelt appreciation to their dedicated caregiver, Carey Young.

The family will host a visitation in the chapel of Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 2630 TN-75, Blountville, TN 37617, Sunday, October 27, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. The funeral service will be at held at 3:00 p.m. officiated by Pastor Alan Williams, followed with a reception for family and friends. Graveside services will be held on Monday, October 28, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. in the Garden of Solomon, with Military rites presented by American Legion Post #3/265.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mountain Ways, a nonprofit dedicated to providing immediate assistance to the victims in the greater Appalachian region due to hurricane Helene flooding, www.mtnways.org, and/or Southeast German Shepherd Rescue, a nonprofit founded in 2010 to save this noble breed from abuse, abandonment, and high kill shelters, www.southeastgermanshepherdrescue.com