Kenneth Monroe Bowen, Jr

Kenneth Monroe Bowen, Jr, age 72 of Forest City died Sunday, May 9, 2021 at his residence.  He was born April 3, 1949 in Gaston County and was a son of the late Reverend Kenneth Monroe Bowen Sr and Maxine Dale Bowen.  He was a graduate of Bessemer City High School, Gaston College and an honors graduate of Isothermal Community College. His working career was at Earley’s Dodge and later Hardin’s Drug where he worked in accounting and sales and he retired from Endries International, Inc. 

Ken served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War and was the recipient of the Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and National Defense Service Medal.  He was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church.  Ken enjoyed traveling, vacationing at the beach, the UNC Tarheels, music and all sports.  He volunteered for the Disabled Veteran’s group of Rutherford County and was devoted to his family, friends and his church. 

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dianne Melton Bowen, his son, Kenneth Monroe Bowen III, and his sister, Barbara Bowen Atchley.

Survivors include his wife, Susie Melton Bowen of the home, his sisters, Dottie Bowen Walker and husband Milton of Asheboro, NC, Helen Bowen Clayton of Simpsonville, SC, his step-daughter, Katrina Melton Campbell and husband Richard of Taylors, SC, and their children, Joseph Campbell, John Campbell, Layla Campbell, Victoria Campbell, Kathryn Campbell and David Campbell all of Upstate South Carolina,  step-son, A. J Melton and wife Temple of Florence SC, and his son, Stone of the home, Nephews, Jamie Walker and wife Tracy and their children, Mary and Anna Walker of Sammamish, WA, Jason Clayton and wife Michelle and children John and Hudson of Chapin, SC, and Matthew Atchley and wife Lauren of Johns Island, SC, nieces, Sarah Clayton of Simpsonville, SC, and LeAnn Atchley Hsiang and husband Ben and their children, Carter, Ethan, and Callie of Concord, NC.

A graveside service will be held at 2 o’clock Thursday, May 13, 2021 in the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery with Reverend Matt Mills, Reverend Bob Philbeck and Mr. Sam Ramsey officiating.  Military Honors will be accorded by the Rutherford County Honor Guard.   The family will receive friends following the service at the cemetery.  The body will lie in state from 4 until 6 o’clock Wednesday at the Padgett and King Mortuary for those wishing to view and pay their respects. 

Memorials may be made to Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Youth Fund, 397 Mt. Pleasant Church Road, Forest City, NC 28043 or Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, Post Office Box 336, Forest City, North Carolina 28043.

The Padgett and King Mortuary is in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.