Jason Walker Bowling

Jason Walker Bowling, 88, of Shelby Township, passed away peacefully at home on May 3, 2020, with his wife Marcie holding his hand, and in the company of his children. A funny and gifted storyteller, Jason enjoyed regaling his grandchildren and great grandchildren with songs, advice, and tales from his childhood, as well as reinvented stories of his part in history. A favorite was to show them the famous photo of George Washington crossing the Delaware; he would point to a man in the boat and say “that’s Papaw right there.” If they didn’t completely understand the story, his grandchildren understood the laughter and the hug that always followed. Born in Manchester, Kentucky to Chester Nathaniel and Mattie (Allen) Bowling, Jason relocated with the family to Tampico, Indiana, where he and his siblings attended school and helped with the family farm. He is pre-deceased by his parents, as well as seven other siblings and their spouses: Rheba (Ora) Rice; Robert Burchell (Leona) Bowling; T.G. (Betty) Bowling; Mary (Clofis) Hurst; Jarve (Nancy) Bowling; and Roy (Flossie) Bowling. His sister, Doris (Sonny Kleine) Ray is the sole remaining family member. Jason joined the U.S. Army as a teenager in 1949, and was deployed to Korea. He was named a Staff Sergeant while stationed near Pyongyang, in what is now North Korea. He was appointed Master Sergeant upon his return to the United States in January 1951, and he taught ROTC at Southeastern High School in Detroit, Michigan, until his discharge in 1953. Jason’s military service was a life-time point of pride, and he returned to Korea for a personal visit at age 80, as a guest of the Department of Korean Veterans Affairs. He was a member of the VFW. Following discharge from the Army, Jason worked for U.S. Rubber Company / Uniroyal for more than 30 years, and retired as the production manager for the former tire-making operation which was located on the Detroit River across from Belle Isle. He was an active member of the 6600 Club while he was employed with Uniroyal. He retired when the plant closed, and devoted much of his time to collecting antiques, refinishing vintage furniture, golf, and his family. He also treasured his connections to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Jason is survived by his wife of nearly 19 years, Marcie; four children, and three stepchildren: Kathryn (Fred) Robinson; Karen (Thomas) Healy; Daniel (Julee Powers) Bowling; Donna (Fred) Giertz; Rick (Caron) Keena; Denise (Bob) White; and Greg (Kathy) Keena. His legacy is also his biggest source of pride: 16 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren, who adored their “Papaw”: Nathan (Theresa) Robinson, and their children Faith and Jason; Bryan (Katherine) Robinson, and their children Connor and Emilia; Kevin (Teresa Garcia) Robinson and their son Logan; James (Caylan) Healy and their children Brody and Maevis; Courtney (Jonathan) Young and their daughter Madeline; Danielle (Jeffrey) Roland and their children Haley and Carson; Jason (Lauren) Bowling and their children Ryan and Brooke; Jeffrey Bowling; Donna (Kyle) Inglis and their children Ian and Ainsley; Kelly Bowling; Gina (Kevin) Vander Putten and their son Elijah; Garrett Giertz; Robert White; Megan (Steve) Frank and their son Liam; Marissa (James) Beversdorf and their children Monroe and James; and Eddie Keena. Jason will be interred with military honors at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township. A memorial service will be planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the local VFW, or to a fund established for Jason’s great-grandson, Ryan, who is fighting a rare childhood cancer. The link is: https://www.plumfund.com/medical-fund/ryanbowling Share memories with the family at their "On-Line Guest Book" @ WujekCalcaterra.com.

Jason Walker Bowling

November 2, 1931 - May 3, 2020