of Little Rock, AR

April 24, 1926 - October 17, 2019

James A. (Buddy) Bowden, 93, passed into the arms of Jesus on October 17, 2019, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's. He was born on April 24, 1926 in Nashville, Arkansas to James and Ruth Bowden. He grew up in Hope and graduated from Hope High School in 1944. Buddy served in the U.S Army Air Corps from 1945-1946, where his love of flying began.

He met the love of his life, Alice Jones, in 8th grade and they married on August 15, 1947. He graduated from College of the Ozarks School of Pharmacy then moved to Shreveport, La. His professional career included Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals, Highland Hospital Pharmacy and three independently owned pharmacies in Shreveport and Austin, TX. In 1989, they moved back to their home state of Arkansas, where he served as an Inspector for the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy and later as a Board Member until his retirement in 2008. In 2006, Buddy was awarded an honorary Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the College of the Ozarks.

Buddy was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Ruth Elise Reynolds. He is survived by his wife, Alice of 72 years; sister, Maxine Whittington and brother, Jerry and wife, Sara; son, Mike Bowden and wife, Sarah of Little Rock; daughter, Marilyn Johnson and husband, Mickey, of Plano, TX. Known to all his six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren as "Big Tex". His grandchildren are Ivey Bowden Janecek and husband Jason, Kasey Johnson, Cullen Bowden and wife, Katie, Robin Johnson Webb and husband, Jeremy, Morgan Bowden Rush and husband, Barry, Walker Bowden and wife, Lindsey.

Visitation will be held Monday, October 21 at 10:00 a.m. with services starting at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church Chapel. Private burial will be at Memory Gardens in Hope, AR.

Buddy and Alice were long time members of Immanuel Baptist Church of Little Rock, where Buddy was a Deacon. The family wishes to thank the wonderful care givers of Colonel Glenn Health and Rehab and to our special hospice nurse, Victoria Castleberry of Hospice Home Care. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made to Immanuel Baptist Church or the Alzheimer's Association.

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