Kenneth Ray Mowles

It is with great sadness that the family of Kenneth ‘Boot’ Ray Mowles Sr. announces his passing, at the age of 99 on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Born on February 26, 1926, Kenneth was a lifelong resident of Salem. He was a baseball fan, a member of the Penguin Club for 64 years, a fabulous singer, and an all around jokester.

After serving in WWII, Kenneth married Edith Marie Mowes, worked at Valleydale Packers, and helped raise their two sons. He also sang in the Salem Senior Citizens choir and in the First Christian Church choir. He was infamous for his rendition of ‘Old Shep’ and for calling people on their birthdays to sing them Happy Birthday. We will miss this tradition very much.

As a long time member of the Penguin Club, he was a business manager, bartender, and regular volunteer with their fundraising activities. He spent many happy hours there with his family and friends.

He and Marie also delivered newspapers at Lewis-Gale Hospital, bringing laughter to everyone he encountered. He enjoyed spending time with family, especially his grand and great-grandkids. He had a unique way of making people feel comfortable, and was well known for his witty comebacks known as ‘Bootisms.’ He was one of a kind.

He was predeceased by his wife, Marie; son, Kenneth ‘Butch’ Ray Mowles II; his eleven brothers and sisters and their families; and many, many good friends.

He is survived by his son, Thomas ‘Buster’ Mowles (Julie); their children, Jessica Williams-Szenes (Eli) and Austin Mowles (Brandi); his grandchildren, Kenneth Ray Mowles III (Erin), Cara Koerner (Angie), great-grandchildren, Logen and Kye Mowles, Jasmine Horry (Jacob), Rylee and Bodhi Mowles, and Etta and Miriam Williams-Szenes; and great-great granddaughter, Amelia, and another one on the way.

Visitation and viewing will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at First Christian Church located at 712 Front Avenue in Salem, Va. (near the Dilly Dally Store). The funeral service will then begin at 11 a.m. with Pastor Dan Netting officiating. Following the service, there will be a get-together at Kenneth’s house. We hope you can join us for food, Bootisms, and stories as we remember Boot, who was one of a kind.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.