Kenneth Reed "Ken" Bowers

Bowers, Kenneth Reed "Ken" – age 79, of Knoxville, passed away on Monday, May 07, 2012 at Parkwest Medical Center. He was a member of Laurel Church of Christ for 30 years. Ken graduated from Oak Ridge High School and attended the University of Tennessee, playing in the Pride of the Southland Marching Band. He retired from Lockhead Martin Y-12 Plant. Ken loved traveling with his beloved wife April. He was an avid sportsman which included playing minor league baseball, officiating TSSAA basketball, umpiring fast-pitch softball, and playing tennis with the Oak Ridge Tennis Club. Ken was a talented musician and singer. He had been a song leader at Highland View Church of Christ in Oak Ridge and at Laurel Church of Christ in Knoxville. Ken was a driving force in growing the early Sunday service at Laurel and was a loving supporter of his wife April's Sunday School Class, which she taught for 40 years. He was an accomplished amateur photographer. He always had time for his family; going to music concerts, and all their school and sporting events. "We all have done many things of so called importance in our lives, but they are all in the past and not important now. When we look back, all that really counts is the good deeds we have done for others. Don't wave flags – Let's move on to a better place," spoken by Ken himself on March 21, 2012. He was preceded in death by his wife, April Gardner Bowers; parents, Leonard and Margaret Bowers. Ken is survived by his sons, Danny Bowers and wife, Charlotte, David Bowers and wife, Andrea; daughters, Judy Patterson and Jan Paynter; grandchildren, Jennifer Howard Potter, Joseph Paynter, Miriam Paynter, Daniel Bowers, Christina Bowers, Christopher Boyd, Andrew Arndts-Bowers, Danielle McNeill, Michelle Bowers Warner, Hudson, Madeline, Faith, Caroline, Molly, and Noah Bell, April Carson; great-grandchildren, Aamariah Crow, Caiden Warner, Ariel Arndts-Bowers, Jordan Arndts-Bowers; brother, Leonard Bowers, Jr. and wife, Caroylea; sister, Helen Isabell. The family wishes to express gratitude for the exceptional compassion and care given by the staff at Parkwest Medical Center. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Laurel Church of Christ with the Funeral Service following; Ministers Mark Smith, Mike Buckley, and Herb Byrd officiating. Interment Friday at 9:45 am at Oak Ridge Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Ken's name be made to Laurel Church of Christ, 3457 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, to benefit China Missions, or Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, 136 Harvest Lane, Maryville, TN 37801. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.rosemortuary.com

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Kenneth Reed "Ken" Bowers

May 7, 2012