Pat J. “Red†Bowers, 82, former Mayor and City Councilman of Elizabethton passed away Saturday April 7, 2012, at his residence after a brief illness.
A native of Carter County, he was a son of the late Cecil and Cora Ramey Bowers. Pat “Red†operated Bowers Motor Sales in Elizabethton for 52 years. His father started the business in 1926. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church and enjoyed attending other community churches. He served on the City Council for 17 years and served as Mayor four of those years.
He was a member of the following organizations: Member and Past Master of Dashiell Masonic Lodge No. 238; R.D. Keller Chapter No. 214 R.A.M.; Carter Commandry No. 37 k.T.; The Scottish Rite Bodies, Knoxville; Charter member and First Recorder, Jericho Shrine Temple, Kingsport. He was a Kentucky Colonel, Commonwealth of Kentucky; Honorary Member of Alaska Temple, Anchorage, Alaska; Past President of the Elizabethton Shrine Club and Sycamore Chapter No. 163, Order of Eastern Star.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother Eugene Bowers.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years: Ella Mae Myers Bowers; two sons: Sonny Bowers and his wife Elaine, Pinehurst, N.C., and Tom “Yogi†Bowers, Elizabethton; three grandchildren: Patricia, Sonny and Matt; one great-grandson: Curtis and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2012, in Memorial Funeral Chapel with Dr. Donald B. Marshall officiating. Entombment will follow in the Mausoleum of Peace, Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers who are requested to assemble at the funeral home at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday will be Victor Deloach, Curt Alexander, Fred Edens, Charlie Stahl, Billy J. Carter and Sam LaPorte. Honorary pallbearers (this was written by Pat “Red†sometime ago). “I love Elizabethton and Carter County so much there is no way I could say without saying everyone in my city and county, my church family, my neighbors, my customers that traded with me for 52 years, The Boys & Girls Club, Little League, I just love everyone so much I want everyone to be my HONORARY PALLBEARERS.†An Honor Guard will be provided by the Elizabethton Police Department.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Elizabethton- Carter County Boys & Girls Club, 104 Hudson Drive, Elizabethton, TN 37643. The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home. Condolences may be e-mailed to mfc@chartertn.net. Memorial Funeral Chapel is in charge.
