Bob Bowlin, formerly of Du Quoin
Bob Bowlin, 84, of Hixson, Tennessee, formerly of Du Quoin, passed away at 9:45 p.m., Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at his home.
Bob was born Sept. 5, 1934 in Morrisonville to Norf J. and Peggy Napier Bowlin. He graduated from Du Quoin Township High School in 1953. Bob married Nina Blakely on Nov. 20, 1954 at the Paradise Baptist Church in Tamaroa. He was drafted into the United States Army and served from 1954 to 1956, based in Kobe, Japan.
After the Army, Bob worked at Blue Bell Meat Packing Company in Du Quoin and Decatur, Alabama. Bob and his family returned to Du Quoin, where he was employed at the Illinois Power Company, working on the tree crew, and then as a lineman for 20-plus years. In 1984, he and his family moved to Lake Wales, Florida, where they owned a flower shop and Bob enjoyed delivering flowers and meeting the community.
Bob was a member of the Rotary Club in Lake Wales. After retirement, he worked at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, where he did electrical work for the many events at the venue.
In 2014, Bob and Nina moved to Hixson, Tennessee, where they were members at Stuart Heights Baptist Church. He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed sharing coffee and conversation with friends and visiting his grandkids and great-grandkids.
Bob is survived by his three children, Kim Cobin and husband, Mark, of Canyon Lake, Texas, Mitzi Crews of Hixson, Tennessee, Blake Bowlin and wife, Shelley, of Peoria; five grandchildren, Jada Young and husband, Jason, of Hixson, Josh Cobin and wife, Lacie, of Buckeye, Arizona, Audra Cobin of Dallas, Levi Bowlin of Omaha, Nebraska and Becca Bowlin of Lake Wales; six great-grandchildren, Ainsley, Kyle and Quinn Young of Hixson, and Cale, Vivian and Grant Cobin of Buckeye, Arizona; and his sister, Billie Allen of Du Quoin.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Nina Bowlin, parents Norf Bowlin and Peggy and John Green; brothers Jim Bowlin and Bob's infant twin, Donald; in-laws Rolla and Mildred Blakely; and a great-grandson, Chance Young.
Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 4 at Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with the Rev. Michael Overton officiating.
Friends may call from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Paradise Prairie Cemetery in Tamaroa.
Friends may make memorials to Paradise Prairie Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.