More detail on this person: Donald Harold
Bowers died in Salem, Oregon on August 22, 2007
after a five year battle with melanoma cancer. Don
celebrated his 60th birthday and 20th wedding
anniversary this year. Don was born in Montevideo,
Minnesota to Robert Bowers and Leona Bartlett on
January 3, 1947. Both parents preceded Don in
death. Don retired from the United States Army
after 22 years of service to his country. He later
retired from the California Department of
Corrections after 10 years of service. Don served
his country proudly and with honor including two
tours of duty to Vietnam in 1967 and 1969. During
his first tour in Vietnam he was a member of the
101st Airborne Infantry, an all-volunteer unit.
His next tour was as a helicopter pilot with the
23rd AmeriCal division. He was highly decorated
for bravery in battle. His Distinguished Flying
Cross cites his bravery as repeatedly risking his
life to save other lives. A few of his honors
include the Purple Heart, five Army
Commendations, the Bronze Star, and two
Distinguished Flying Crosses. His call sign
throughout life was Slow Motion 9 and is the
personalized license plate of his beloved 1959
Corvette.
Don is survived by his wife Cheryl and five sons
and daughters-in-law; Brandon and Katarina
Bowers, Bryan Bowers, Steven and Stefanie Zenk,
Richard and Katie Zenk, and Lawrence and Irene
Zenk. He is also survived by five grandchildren;
Bryan, Savanna, Tyler, Mackenzie and Alexis. Last,
he is survived by his band of brothers of the
101st airborne and the AmeriCal division and many
life-long friends.
Funeral services will be held at Worrell Memorial
Primitive Baptist Church in Laurel Fork on August
31, 2007 at 2:00 PM with Elder Gleason Worrell
officiating. Burial will follow in the Nester
Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends
at the church on Friday from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM
prior to the funeral service.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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