Barry Bowen

A big teddy bear of a man, Barry Bowen lived a heart-centered life. Strong, stubborn, and smart, Barry lived on his own terms with unwavering hope and big dreams. Barry was a natural puzzle solver who confidently navigated life's challenges. Whether facing a work or home project, hosting a game of Poker, casting his line in local waters, spending time with his wife and favorite fur kids, or lending a hand to someone, Barry embraced each moment as a gift. Though our days with him were far too few, every moment we shared with Barry is a gift we will long treasure.

1951 proved a year of increased comforts and exciting new possibilities. While unemployment dropped to 3.3%, the nation additionally celebrated the first direct-dial trans-coastal phone call, easier travel in more comfortable cars and on newly paved interstates, and the premieres of "I Love Lucy," "The Day The Earth Stood Still," and "An American in Paris." Nowhere was the sense of hope for the future more celebrated than in the hearts of Dale and Betty (VanBrooke) Bowen as they welcomed their son Barry to their family on July 18 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The oldest child, Barry, tormented his little brother Brian to death, as brothers tend to do. After attending local schools, Barry made it through Marine Corps Recruit Training in 1971. He was looking forward to his continued service, but was discharged early due to health issues. While waiting for all the paperwork to be processed, he took advantage of lounging in the sun on the hospital roof!

While being introduced to a friend's softball team, Barry had the good fortune of meeting Susan McDaniel at a game in Schoolcraft during their July 4th celebrations. The pair instantly hit it off, were soon dating, and married in 1981. The couple created a wonderful home with their fur kids and bought a special cabin up north. To call it rustic is an understatement. With no running water and an outhouse, the cabin became a place to split logs, enjoy a warm fire, and tinker with maintenance and repairs.

For 34 years, Barry worked for the Ronningen-Petter plant in Three Rivers, where he started as a co-op student during high school. He began in the company's machine shop and was promoted through the ranks, eventually becoming the plant general manager of their Three Rivers plant. He was a natural craftsman with a mechanical mind; if he could see it, he could fix or build it. In retirement, Barry started a handyman business for fun. B.J. Bowen Handyman grew so fast that he gave it up because it was quickly becoming another career.

Not only was Barry a hard worker, but he also knew how to have a good time. For many years, he lent his height to various softball and volleyball teams, playing in a Kalamazoo volleyball league. Later, after these sports were too taxing, golf became his athletic passion, culminating annually with a golf and gambling vacation in northern Michigan. Hunting and fishing with his buddies always proved to be good fun. One of his favorite times was his annual fly-in fishing trip to a remote lake in Canada, packing one plane with themselves and another plane with food, and plenty of beer for the week. When Barry went deer hunting in the U.P., he would set up a big canvas tent and outdoor stove. He was the keeper of the tent and it was no small task as it was large enough to house several people on the hunt. He always came back with something and had a freezer full of venison. He and Sue also bow hunted together up north, happy he had a wife who shared his love of the outdoors. A long tradition of weekly Poker games held in Barry's barn was filled with friendly competition and lots of laughs.

Barry was a dreamer who never lost hope. Even as more and more health issues arose in recent years, he kept hoping to get back to the cabin, play another game of softball, or hunt in the woods just one more time. Barry's persevering spirit, big heart, generosity, and steadfast companionship inspired all who were blessed to know him. These are the cornerstones of Barry's legacy, which we are so honored to celebrate and carry forward.

Barry Bowen of Mattawan, age 73, died on November 10, 2024. He was born July 18, 1951, to Dale and Betty (VanBrooke) Bowen, who preceded him in death. Surviving are his wife, Susan, and their fur baby, Rambo; siblings, Brian Bowen and Linda Mulvaney; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial donations may be made to Centrica Rose Arbor Place. Celebrate Barry's life online by sharing favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.Com. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.