George Wesley Bowden, Sr., 80, of Whitefield, died unexpectedly at his home on Sept. 10.
Born in Washington, D.C. on May 15, 1926, he was the son of Reuben and Theresa Clarke Bowden. He grew up and was educated in Jefferson.
He was employed by Hallowell Shoe for many years, and also worked at Hazard Shoe, and the Edwards Mill.
George, known to many as “Papa”, was a private man who enjoyed spending one-on-one time with his family. He preferred the simple life and enjoyed watching cattle, sheep, deer and turkeys graze in the back pasture. His greatest enjoyment and pleasure in life came from spending time with all the children and looked forward to the birth of the next “little weenie.”
He was predeceased by his loving wife, Dora (Tibbetts); three sons, Theodore, Zane, and John; sister, Lois “Ginny” Black; and two brothers, Charles and Kenneth Weeks.
George is survived by four sons, Charles A. Bowden of Jefferson, Bradley L. Bowden and wife Shari, Walter S. Bowden and wife Sabrina, and George W. Bowden, Jr., all of Whitefield; four daughters, Gladys B. Lewis of Augusta, Sally A. Blair and husband Terry, Carol B. Cooley and husband Arthur, and Lois “Bunny” C. Brown and husband David, all of Whitefield; four sisters, Lydia Day of Farmingdale, Mary McCabe of Clifton Park, N.Y., Beverly Weeks, and Dorothy Weeks of Winslow; one brother, Clayton Weeks and wife Lenna of Waterville; four sisters-in-law, Gladys Glidden and husband Leo of Jefferson, Jennie Feyler of Whitefield, Minnie Farris and husband Jack of Belfast, and Hazel Kleinschmidt of Windsor; 18 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial visiting hours 4-7 p.m., Tues., Sept. 12 at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner, where an 11 a.m. funeral service will be held Wed., Sept. 13, followed by burial at Whitefield Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Maine Children’s Home, 93 Silver St., Waterville, ME 04901.