John Edwin Bowles
John Edwin Bowles, 83, of Martinsville, Virginia, peacefully passed away Monday, April 14, 2025, at his residence. He was born September 5, 1941, in Martinsville, Virginia, to the late Walter C. Bowles and Fannie Mae Walker Bowles.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Marilyn Spencer.
John centered his life around his family, and is remembered and appreciated by his children for his committed involvement throughout their lives. He shared his love of the outdoors and sports with his family who lovingly recall fishing and camping adventures, his time spent coaching little league, and support attending and traveling to many sports and school events. He showed the same love and enthusiasm for his grandchildren and was always ready with a joke or a prank to keep them laughing and entertained. There are many fond family memories of times spent with his beloved mother, father, sister, brother-in-law and niece cooking out, celebrating holidays, and spending time in the Blue Ridge Mountains and at Myrtle Beach.
John was a member of First Presbyterian Church and Starling Avenue Baptist Church, where he found joy singing in the choirs. He also participated in several local singing groups, namely Piedmont Choral Society and Gaudette, where one of his fondest memories was being able to perform in the Duke University Chapel. He also loved sharing memories of his time spent as a teen in a local quartet called “The Four Teens.” John dedicated over twenty-five years of his life to social work, serving as the director of Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and carried on with this same spirit of service through his involvement in the local Jaycees chapter. An avid golfer and die-hard Democrat, John was very involved in local politics and his family recalls many a fall weekend at political events eating brunswick stew and listening to blue grass music. He was a proud graduate of Bassett High School and later earned his bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. While at college, he discovered Richmond’s music scene which served as the basis for the stories he would share with family and friends throughout the years. Through his interests in music, golf, politics and involvement in church communities, John built a strong network of friends who he shared with his family through many humorous stories.
John will be remembered as a warm-spirited person who taught us all to appreciate the connections of family and friends and to always find joy and laughter in life.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Sink Bowles; daughter, Whitney Parfitt (Tom); sons, Jeb Bowles and Andrew Bowles; grandchildren, Clare, Eliza, Emily, Jude, Demerius, Autumn and Djebril; niece, Amy Spencer; brother-in-law, Bill Spencer; extended family and friends.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Monday April 21, 2025, at 4:00 PM, at Wright Funeral Service Chapel.
Wright Funeral Service & Crematory is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.wrightfuneralservices.net.
