Chester Dean Bowden, 69, of May, Texas went home to be with the Lord at 2:05 A.M. on Monday, August 2, 2021. Services will be at 2:00 PM, Saturday, August 7, 2021 at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church officiated by Jeff Hoskinson.
Dean was born on November 15, 1951 in Big Spring, Texas to Robert Chester and Maxine Frizzell Bowden. He graduated high school from Plain Dealing Academy, LA and married his high school sweetheart, Betty Hilburn on August 26, 1968 and they began a life together where God blessed them with two sons and many memories. Dean was a loving husband, father, Papaw and Gpaw. He worked as a diesel mechanic for about 40 years and continued his love of mechanical things in his off time. Although he enjoyed hunting and fishing his whole life, he continued to mechanic and build race cars, R/C planes, restore classic cars, attend car shows, ride motorcycles and even had some time to self-teach himself how to play the guitar and read sci-fi and western novels. Dean won championships in Abilene and San Angelo dirt track racing and he won awards at car shows where Betty and he would take their restored vehicles and gather with other enthusiasts. His sons and grandchildren shared in his love of all things motorized. Dean loved his family and looked forward to spending time with them, the grandkids and great grandkids.
Dean is survived by his beloved wife, Betty Jo Bowden of May; sons, James “Jim” Bowden and wife Valerie of May and Lonny Bowden and wife, Cindy of Brady; grandchildren, JD Bowden and wife Maegan of Brownwood, Alex Evans of May, Brittney Evans and husband Jared of Bangs, Max Bowden of Brownwood, GiGi Morado and Gracie Zapata of Brady; 6 great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, church family and friends.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents and brother, William Robert “Billy” Bowden
The family wants to extend a sincere special thank you to Dr. Mike Kingston and his staff, the Brownwood Dialysis center for the friendship, care and love of Dean and the family during the last few years.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude’s; https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html or the American Kidney Association: https://secure2.convio.net/akf/site/SPageNavigator/df_id/2021MainPage.html?s_src=mainform&s_subsrc=mainform_headertribute&don_tp=hon_n&_ga=2.141774962.1735493322.1628017858-116638252.1628017858
Online condolences, tributes and memorials can be shared with the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net.
