Rees "R. T.." Tate Bowen Jr.

His Lord said unto him, well done thou good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of the Lord. Matthew 25:21 Bastian, VA – Rees Tate “R.T.” Bowen, Jr. 82 of 7008 Clear Fork Creek Road, Bastian, VA died Friday January 23, 2015 at his residence, with his family at his side. Born January 12, 1933 in Tazewell County, VA, R.T. was a son of the late Rees Tate Bowen, Sr. and Ruth Hagy Bowen. He was a member of Rocky Gap United Methodist Church and retired from Appalachian Power Company as a Line Crew Supervisor after 39 years of service. R.T. graduated from Graham High School in 1951 and played football at VA Tech on a scholarship for two years. He loved farming and raising and showing American Saddlebred horses, and served on the Board of Directors of the American Saddlebred Horse Association of Virginia. He also was a member of the Ruritan Club and The Gideon’s Camp, was a founding member of the men’s prayer breakfast of Rocky Gap United Methodist Church and influenced many, many lives with his testimony for Jesus Christ, and for his love of family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Joe Don Bowen and brothers Joe Henry Bowen and Donald Ray Bowen. R.T. is survived by his wife of 61 years, Rose Branham Bowen of the home, daughters: Deborah B. Burge and husband Edward of Rocky Gap, VA, Ruth Ann Lazenby and husband John of Bluefield, VA, and son: R.T. “Artie” Bowen, III and wife Debra of Bastian, VA, grandchildren: Sarah Kidd and husband Michael of Glade Hill, VA, Heath Havens and wife Lori of Bluefield, VA, Jessica Nunez and husband Joe of Slidell, LA, Sherri Mitchell and husband David of Silar City, NC, Nick Bowen of Bastian, VA, Todd Lazenby of Welcome, NC, and Sara Lester and husband Moose of Lewisville, NC, 12 great grandchildren and sister-in-laws Wilma Lee Barbery and Patricia Bowen, and his horse Jack of 26 years. Funeral services will be conducted Monday January 26, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Mercer Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Rodney Lawson officiating. Interment will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens Cemetery, Bluefield, VA where Brandon Stowers, Stacey Havens, Charlie Long, Terry Akers, Darrell Swecker, John Ray Faulkner, Mike Sutphin and Red Hall will serve as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be Michael Bird, Daniel Bird and Jody Lusk The family will receive friends Sunday January 25, 2015 at the funeral home from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to either Hospice of Southwest Virginia, 600 West Ridge Road, Wytheville, VA 24382, or to Rocky Gap United Methodist Church 12508 North Scenic Highway, Rocky Gap, VA 24366. Those wishing to share memories or e-mail condolences may do so by visiting www.mercerfuneralhome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Bowen family.

Rees "R. T.." Tate Bowen Jr.

January 12, 1933 - January 23, 2015