Funeral services for Jack S. Bowen, age 84 of Carthage, TX, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Don Cocklin officiating. A military graveside service will follow at Clayton Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Mr. Bowen passed away on Wednesday morning, June 11, 2008 at his home in Carthage.

Jack Simeon Bowen was born on July 19, 1923 in Texarkana, TX to J. E. and Cleo Munden Bowen. He served his country in the United States Air Force during WWII and the Korean War, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. During WWII, Jack was captured by the Germans and was a POW. He married Lucille Porter on September 21, 1945 in Bossier City, LA. Mr. Bowen was a member of the V.F.W. Post # 5620, the Disabled Veterans of America, a charter member of the American Air Museum in Britain, a member of the American Ex-POW's Assn., the Purple Heart Assn., the Caterpillar Club, and was a charter member of the WWII Memorial. Jack studied Tae Kwon-Do throughout his life, attaining a 4th degree black belt. He was a member of the Carthage Masonic Lodge # 521, the Beckville Masonic Lodge # 922, and Sharon Temple Shrine in Tyler. Jack called Carthage home since 1931, moving from Texarkana, TX. After his service, Jack worked in the late 50's and early 60's as a sheriff's deputy for the Panola County Sheriff's Dept. He then moved to Austin, where he worked until his retirement for the TX State Land Office. He was a faithful member of the First Christian Church of Carthage. Mr. Bowen was preceded in death by his parents, his wife on October 12, 2007; one brother, J. E. Bowen, Jr.; and two sisters, Elizabeth Knight and Billie Ross.

Mr. Bowen is survived by two sons, Jack E. Bowen and wife Cris of Orlando, FL and Ronald Ray Bowen and wife Dr. Linda Bowen of Magnolia; three daughters, Deborah Jean Bradshaw of Manor, Edythe J. Smith and husband Douglas of Denver, and Rebecca Sue Bowen of Carthage; eleven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

Serving as pallbearers are Lynn Vincent, Jack Reeves, Dennis Smith, Lincoln King, Troy "Tater" Davis, Harold Hawkins, Pat Porter, and Warren Jones. Serving as honorary pallbearers are the Carthage and Beckville Masonic Lodges.

If desired, memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, 208 S. Market, Carthage, TX 75633 or the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 3909, Longview, TX 75606.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.